Nurse call system and condition assessment system

Abstract

To provide a nurse call system and state determination system, which allow for reliably preventing patients from dropping or falling from beds by detecting dangerous actions of patients, other than getting up and leaving beds.SOLUTION: A nurse call system provided herein comprises nurse call sub units, a nurse call base unit installed at a nurse station, cameras for capturing images of patients in beds from above, and a state determination unit configured to detect movement of patients in beds from images captured by the cameras. The state determination unit outputs a first caution-required state occurrence signal when movement of a patient in bed exceeds a given range. The nurse call base unit comprises a notification unit configured to perform a first notification operation upon receipt of the first caution-required state occurrence signal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nurse call system and a condition determination system. [Background technology]

[0002] When a patient or care recipient in bed tries to get up or leave the bed, there is a risk of falling or tripping over. For this reason, Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a camera captures an image of a patient in bed, and if the captured image detects that the patient has sat up or left the bed, a warning signal is output from the corridor light to the nurse call master unit, and an image of the patient is displayed on the display unit of the nurse call master unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-090913 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-38777 [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Madoka Inoue, Toshiyuki Yasui, Ryo Taguchi, and Taizo Umezaki: "Bed position detection for automation of patient monitoring functions," Journal of Electrical Engineering C, Vol. 138, No. 6, pp. 670-677 (2018) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses that a patient's behavior of getting up is detected and an alert is issued, but there is room for improvement in the predictability of dangerous behaviors, since there are other dangerous behaviors besides the patient getting up or getting out of bed that can lead to falls or tripping.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a nurse call system and a condition judgment system that can reliably prevent a patient from falling or tipping over from a bed by detecting dangerous actions other than the patient getting up or leaving the bed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the nurse call system of the present invention comprises: A nurse call system having a nurse call handset that is installed on a bed and allows a patient to call a nurse, and a nurse call master unit that is installed in a nurse station and responds to calls made by the nurse call handset, a camera that captures an image of a patient on a bed from above the bed; a state determination unit that detects movement of the patient on the bed from the image captured by the camera, and outputs a first attention state generation signal when the movement exceeds a predetermined range on the bed; Equipped with The nurse call master unit has an alarm unit that receives the first attention state occurrence signal and executes a first alarm operation.

[0008] According to the above configuration, in order to detect dangerous actions other than the patient getting up or getting out of bed, for example, by detecting the patient's movement toward the edge of the bed and notifying the nurse's station, it is possible to more reliably prevent the patient from falling or tipping over from the bed.

[0009] In addition, in the nurse call system of the present invention, The predetermined area may be a central area of ​​the bed.

[0010] By setting the central area of ​​the bed as the predetermined range, movement of the patient to the edge of the bed can be easily detected.

[0011] In addition, in the nurse call system of the present invention, The nurse call master unit may further have a setting unit that can change the predetermined range.

[0012] With the above configuration, the detection range can be changed depending on various conditions such as the patient's attributes and the bed shape, thereby making it possible to suppress malfunctions.

[0013] Further, the nurse call system of the present invention includes: a mobile terminal carried by the nurse to answer a call from the nurse call handset; a communication control means for receiving the first attention state occurrence signal and transmitting the captured image to the mobile terminal; may further comprise:

[0014] According to the above configuration, even if a nurse is not at the nurse's station, the nurse can be notified of the patient's dangerous behavior, allowing the nurse to take appropriate action.

[0015] In addition, in the nurse call system of the present invention, the state determination unit outputs a second attention state occurrence signal when determining from the captured image that at least one of a state in which the patient's head or body is facing outward from the bed, a state in which the patient has sat up, and a state in which the patient has left the bed has occurred; The notification unit may receive the second attention state occurrence signal and perform a second notification action different from the first notification action.

[0016] According to the above configuration, in addition to the patient moving to the edge of the bed, if the patient behaves in a manner that requires further attention, a stronger warning action is executed, allowing the nurse to properly recognize the patient's condition and making it useful for nursing work.

[0017] Further, the nurse call system of the present invention includes: a mobile terminal carried by the nurse to answer a call from the nurse call handset; a communication control means for receiving the first attention state occurrence signal and transmitting the captured image to the mobile terminal; and When the communication control means receives the second warning state occurrence signal, the communication control means may transmit the captured image and warning information to the mobile terminal.

[0018] According to the above configuration, when a patient takes an action that requires more caution, such as getting out of bed, warning information is sent to the nurse's mobile terminal along with an image of the patient, which allows the nurse to take prompt action.

[0019] In order to achieve the above object, the state determination system of the present invention comprises: a camera that captures an image of a person on the bed from above the bed; a state determination unit that detects movement of the person on the bed from the image captured by the camera, and outputs a warning state generation signal when the movement exceeds a predetermined range on the bed; a notification unit that receives the warning state occurrence signal and executes a notification operation; Equipped with.

[0020] According to the above configuration, in order to detect dangerous actions other than sitting up or getting out of bed by a person on the bed, for example, movement to the edge of the bed can be detected and an alarm given, thereby more reliably preventing the person from falling or tipping over from the bed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a nurse call system and a condition judgment system that can reliably prevent a patient from falling or tipping over from a bed by detecting dangerous actions other than the patient getting up or leaving the bed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a nurse call system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of cameras provided in the nurse call system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a camera provided in the nurse call system of FIG. 1. [Figure 4]2 is a functional block diagram of a nurse call master unit provided in the nurse call system of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart for executing the monitoring operation of the nurse call system in this embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image of a patient captured by a camera. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 shows a state in which a patient has moved to the edge of the bed and is lying face down facing outward from the bed. [Figure 8] This figure shows the state in which the image of the patient transmitted from the camera is displayed on the display unit of the nurse call master unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, a nurse call system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a nurse call system 100 according to the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the nurse call system 100 includes a nurse call handset 1 installed for each bed in a hospital room, a hallway light 2 installed at the entrance and exit of each hospital room, a nurse call master unit 3 installed at the nurse's station, and a controller 4 that controls communication between the devices. The nurse call system 100 also includes a camera 5 installed for each bed, a mobile terminal 6 carried by a nurse, and a switchboard 7 that manages communication between the mobile terminals 6 via a base station 8.

[0025] Nurse call handset 1 is a device that allows patients to call and talk to a nurse, and has a call button 1a and a plate handset 1b installed on the wall. Plate handset 1b has a connection part to which call button 1a is connected and a communication part for talking to a nurse.

[0026] The corridor light 2 is a device for notifying the occurrence of a call from a patient, and includes an indicator light 2a and a patient name display unit 2b.

[0027] The nurse call base unit 3 is a device for receiving and responding to calls from patients, and has a call unit 3a (an example of an alarm unit), a display unit 3b, and a board unit 3c. The call unit 3a has a handset and an alarm unit for talking to patients and making announcements within the hospital. Various information is displayed on the display unit 3b. The display unit 3b is, for example, a 7-inch LCD monitor, and is located near the call unit 3a. The board unit 3c displays a list of patient information K for each patient.

[0028] The camera 5 captures an image of the patient himself / herself and an image of the surroundings related to the patient. The mobile terminal 6 is a terminal for responding to calls from patients, such as a smartphone, etc. The mobile terminal 6 has a display unit 6a.

[0029] The corridor light 2, nurse call base unit 3, controller 4, camera 5, etc. are all connected to the LAN via a hub 10. The nurse call handset 1 is connected to the corridor light 2 via a transmission line L1 for each patient room. The switchboard 7 is connected to the controller 4 via a transmission line L2.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of the camera 5. As shown in Fig. 2, the camera 5 is installed above the bed 9, more specifically, on the wall above the head of the patient M lying face down on the bed 9, and is installed so as to capture an image with the patient's head at the center.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows a functional block diagram of camera 5. As shown in Fig. 3, camera 5 includes a camera CPU 21 that controls camera 5 and a condition determination unit 22 that analyzes the captured image to determine the patient's condition. Camera 5 also includes a memory unit 23 that stores various information, a communication interface (communication IF) 24 for connecting to other nurse call devices via a LAN via HUB 10, an imaging unit 25, and an illumination unit 26.

[0032] The state determination unit 22 determines the bed area and detects a predetermined area on the bed from the captured image captured by the imaging unit 25. As a method for determining the bed area, for example, the bed area determination method disclosed in Patent Document 2 may be used, or the bed position estimation method using machine learning disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 may be used.

[0033] The state determination unit 22 also detects changes in the patient's state on the bed from multiple perspectives based on the identified bed area and the detected predetermined area on the bed. The changes in the patient's state are determined by extracting the patient's shape based on the captured image. Algorithms for extracting the patient's shape may include, for example, a known moving object detection method, a feature-based classification method using SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform) or SURF (Speeded-Up Robust Features), or deep learning. The state determination unit 22 may determine changes in the patient's state by detecting information about the patient's skeletal structure from the image captured by the camera 5. Specifically, the state determination unit 22 estimates the patient's skeletal structure and joints based on the captured image. For example, existing skeletal tracking technology can be used as a method for estimating the skeletal structure and joints. The state determination unit 22 may estimate either the skeletal structure or the joints of the target person as skeletal information.

[0034] The storage unit 23 stores learning data, setting values, etc. as a database for determining the condition of a patient.

[0035] The imaging unit 25 is configured, for example, by a camera module provided with a filter that also transmits infrared light. The illumination unit 26 is configured, for example, by a light emitting element such as an infrared LED.

[0036] Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of the main parts of the nurse call base unit 3. As shown in Fig. 4, in addition to a communication unit 3a and a display unit 3b, the nurse call base unit 3 includes a base unit CPU 31 that controls the entire nurse call base unit 3, an image processing unit 32, a touch panel 33 as an operation unit attached to the display unit 3b, and a setting unit 34. The nurse call base unit 3 further includes an information storage unit 35, an audio processing unit 37, a notification light 38 (an example of an alarm unit), and a communication interface (communication IF) 39.

[0037] The image processing unit 32 processes the image or video to be displayed on the display unit 3 b. Specifically, the image processing unit 32 processes the video of the patient M on the bed captured by the camera 5, and generates a display image to be displayed on the display unit 3 b.

[0038] The touch panel 33 is attached to, for example, the display unit 3b, and is configured to be able to receive operations from a nurse, etc. The touch panel 33 functions as, for example, a setting unit 34 that can set a predetermined range on the bed that is detected by the condition determination unit 22, or a setting unit 34 that can change the display range of the patient image displayed on the display unit 3b.

[0039] Information storage unit 35 stores information regarding the correspondence between nurse call handset 1 and camera 5, various setting information, and patient images, etc. Specifically, information storage unit 35 stores a correspondence table between nurse call handset 1 and bed number, a correspondence table between nurse call handset 1 and patient, a table of nurses in charge, patient information such as patient name and gender, a correspondence table between nurse call handset 1 and camera 5, and a predetermined area on the bed set by setting unit 34.

[0040] The voice processing unit 37 processes the voice signal output by the communication unit 3a or input from the communication unit 3a. The notification light 38 is provided on the board unit 3c and notifies the caller by illuminating the light source. The communication IF 39 is an interface for connecting to other nurse call devices via LAN.

[0041] Next, the operation of the nurse call system 100 configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. The operations of the hallway light 2 announcing a call in response to a call operation from the nurse call handset 1 and the nurse call master unit 3 or mobile terminal 6 responding are the same as in the conventional system, so explanations will be omitted. The following description will focus on the monitoring operation of determining changes in the patient's condition based on captured video of the patient and monitoring the patient. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for executing the monitoring operation in this embodiment. The order of the processes constituting the flowchart described below is random, as long as no contradictions or inconsistencies occur in the process content. Furthermore, the processes executed by each device may be executed by other devices, as long as no contradictions occur.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, first, a predetermined operation on the touch panel 33 of the nurse call master unit 3 sets the start of a monitoring operation for an arbitrary patient (step S10). In response to the setting of the monitoring operation in step S10, the master CPU 31 puts the camera 5 associated with the patient for whom monitoring has been set into a constant image capturing state, and activates the state determination unit 22 (step S11).

[0043] The activated state determination unit 22 determines the bed area based on the image captured by the imaging unit 25, and detects a predetermined range on the bed based on the learning data stored in the memory unit 23 (step S12).

[0044] 6 shows an example of an image of the patient M captured by the camera 5. This image shows an image C of the patient M lying face down in the approximate center of the bed 9.

[0045] The state determination unit 22 detects the bed area E based on the captured image C. The bed area E is defined based on two lines T1 and T2 drawn in the vertical direction of the captured image C along the contour of the long sides of the bed 9 (the sides opposite the head and foot sides of the patient M) and two lines T3 and T4 drawn in the horizontal direction of the captured image C along the contour of the short sides of the bed 9 (the sides opposite the head and foot sides of the patient M). The area enclosed by these four lines T1 to T4 is defined as the bed area E. The positions of the lines T1 to T4 are stored in the memory unit 23. The state determination unit 22 may set the bed area E each time a monitoring operation is started, or may set the bed area E using the positions of the lines T1 to T4 associated with the patient M stored in the memory unit 23. Furthermore, the bed area E may be set by a nurse operating a setting unit 34 provided on the touch panel 33 of the nurse call master unit 3.

[0046] The state determination unit 22 also detects a predetermined range H on the bed based on the captured image C. The predetermined range H is defined based on two lines T5 and T6 drawn through both ends of the patient M's body (e.g., both shoulders) and extending vertically in the captured image C along the patient M's height direction, i.e., the long side direction of the bed 9. The area between these two lines T5 and T6 is set as the predetermined range H on the bed. The predetermined range H refers to an area in the bed area E that is approximately equal to the width of the patient M's body when lying face down, with the center position of the bed 9 in the width direction as the center. The predetermined range H is set in the central area of ​​the bed 9. The predetermined range H varies depending on the patient M's physique, constitution, etc. For example, the predetermined range H is set wider for a larger patient M. The predetermined range H is also set wider for a child who often changes position by rolling over, etc. The positions of the lines T5 and T6 are stored in the memory unit 23.

[0047] The predetermined range may be set, for example, as an area surrounded by lines T5, T6 and lines T3, T4 (predetermined range Ha). Alternatively, the predetermined range may be set, for example, as an area surrounding the vicinity of the head of patient M (predetermined range Hb). The condition determination unit 22 may set the predetermined range H on the bed each time a monitoring operation is started, or may set the predetermined range H using the positions of lines T5, T6 associated with the patient M stored in the memory unit 23. Furthermore, the predetermined range H may be set by a nurse operating a setting unit 34 provided on the touch panel 33 of the nurse call master unit 3.

[0048] Next, the state determination unit 22 determines the state of the patient M based on the learning data captured by the camera 5 and stored in the memory unit 23 (step S13). Specifically, the state determination unit 22 determines whether the patient M is lying on the bed 9 (i.e., in a supine position or a lateral position), whether the patient M is sitting up, or whether the patient M is away from the bed 9 (out-of-bed state).

[0049] Whether patient M is lying face down on bed 9 is determined based on, for example, the position of the patient's head in the captured image. For example, in FIG. 6, the state determination unit 22 detects the position of patient M's head, and if the position of the head is within a predetermined lower area in the captured image C, determines that patient M is lying face down on bed 9. Furthermore, if patient M is lying face down, the state determination unit 22 determines whether the patient is lying face up or face down on his / her side. For example, the state determination unit 22 detects the direction of patient M's head, i.e., the direction of patient M's face (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.), and determines that patient M is lying face up if the head is facing the ceiling, and determines that patient M is lying face down if the head is facing the left or right side of bed 9.

[0050] Furthermore, when the patient M is lying down, the state determination unit 22 determines whether the patient M is lying down within a predetermined range H on the bed. For example, the patient M may roll over and move outside the predetermined range H. In this case, depending on the patient M's condition, even movement beyond the predetermined range H may be undesirable. For example, the patient M may change his / her position in bed in an attempt to sit up and move beyond the predetermined range H. Furthermore, the patient M may change his / her position in bed in an attempt to get out of bed and move beyond the predetermined range H. The state determination unit 22 determines whether the patient M is lying down within the predetermined range H on the bed, for example, based on the position of the patient M's head. The state determination unit 22 determines that movement beyond the predetermined range H has occurred when the position of the patient M's head has moved to the left of the left line T5 or to the right of the right line T6 in the captured image C. The state determination unit 22 may detect the position of a part of the patient M's body (for example, the position of the patient M's shoulder) and determine whether the patient M is lying face down within a predetermined range H on the bed based on the position of the shoulder, or may determine this based on the position of the patient M's entire body.

[0051] Furthermore, if the patient M moves beyond a predetermined range H on the bed, the state determination unit 22 determines whether the patient M has moved to the left or right end of the bed, and whether the direction of the head or body of the moved patient M is facing outward from the bed 9.

[0052] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which patient M has moved to the edge of the bed and the patient's head is facing outward from the bed 9. As shown in FIG. 7, patient M has moved beyond a predetermined range H on the bed, and the position of his head has moved to the left edge of the bed, close to the left line T1 in the captured image C. The patient's head is facing outward from the left side of the bed 9. In such a case, the state determination unit 22 determines that patient M has moved to the edge of the bed and is in a specific state in which he is facing outward from the bed 9.

[0053] Whether patient M is in a sitting up state is determined, for example, based on whether patient M has changed from lying down on bed 9 to sitting up. The state determination unit 22 detects patient M, and when the state of patient M has changed from lying down on bed 9 to sitting up, determines that patient M has sat up. It is preferable that the occurrence of this sitting up state is determined when the patient maintains the sitting up position for a certain period of time (for example, 5 seconds). This can prevent erroneous operation such as determining that a rolling over action is a sitting up action.

[0054] Whether the patient M is in a bed-out state is determined based on, for example, whether the patient M has sat up and then moved out of the bed area E. The state determination unit 22 detects the patient M's sitting up movement, and if the patient M has moved out of the bed area E after the sitting up movement, determines that the patient M has left the bed. In other words, the state determination unit 22 determines that the patient M has left the left line T1, the right line T2, below the lower line T3, and above the upper line T4 in the captured image C.

[0055] In addition, the state of patient M determined based on the video data may include, for example, a state in which patient M is sitting on the edge of the bed (edge ​​sitting state) or a state in which patient M removes the bed rail S (Figure 2) attached to the bed 9.

[0056] Next, the state determination unit 22 determines whether a first-stage specific state change has occurred in the patient M being watched over (step S14). Specifically, the state determination unit 22 determines whether the patient M, who has been determined to be lying face down on the bed, has moved on the bed and whether the position of the patient M's head has moved to a position outside the predetermined range H as a result of that movement.

[0057] In step S14, if it is not determined that the first stage specific state change has occurred (No in step S14), the state determination unit 22 returns to step S13 and repeats the processing of each step. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that a first-stage specific status change has occurred (Yes in step S14), the status determination unit 22 determines whether a second-stage specific status change has occurred in the patient M being watched over (step S15). Specifically, the status determination unit 22 determines whether the patient M has moved beyond the predetermined range H on the bed, has moved to the left or right end of the bed, and the patient M's head or body has turned outward from the bed 9, has raised the upper half of its body, or has left the bed.

[0058] If it is determined in step S15 that a second-stage specific state change has not occurred (No in step S15), the state determination unit 22 outputs a first attention state occurrence signal to the nurse call master unit 3 and the control unit 4, and also transmits the image captured by the camera 5 (patient image) to the nurse call master unit 3 (step S16).

[0059] Next, the nurse call master unit 3 that has received the first caution state occurrence signal issues an alarm sound from the alarm unit provided in the communication unit 3a (step S17). The nurse call master unit 3 may also issue an alarm sound from the alarm unit and illuminate the notification light 38 to notify the occurrence of a caution state.

[0060] Next, the base unit CPU 31 of the nurse call base unit 3 reads the camera ID information included in the first attention state occurrence signal, identifies the patient who sent the notification by referring to the information storage unit 35, and displays the patient information of the identified patient on the display unit 3b, as well as the transmitted patient video on the display unit 3b (step S18). The nurse call base unit 3 also stores the patient video data transmitted from the camera 5 in the information storage unit 35.

[0061] FIG. 8 shows the display unit 3b displaying the patient video transmitted from the camera 5. As shown in FIG. 8, the display unit 3b includes a source information display unit D1 that displays source information such as the hospital room number P1, the patient name P2, and the medical department P3; a video display unit D2 that displays the patient video; and a message display unit D3. The message display unit D3 displays, for example, "First-stage risky behavior has occurred," to notify the user that the video is being displayed due to a warning condition. An operation button D4 for automatically starting video recording is located on the right side of the screen of the display unit 3b.

[0062] Next, the control unit 4 that received the first attention state occurrence signal references the information storage unit 35 of the nurse call base unit 3 based on the camera ID information included in the first attention state occurrence signal, and obtains the associated nurse information and mobile terminal information. The control unit 4 transmits a notification signal notifying the occurrence of the attention state, together with source information such as the hospital room number and the image captured by the camera 5, via the exchange 7 and base station 8 to the associated mobile terminal 6, i.e., the mobile terminal 6 carried by the nurse in charge (step S19). Upon receiving the signal from the control unit 4, the portable terminal 6 displays the call source information, patient image, and message on the display unit 6a of the portable terminal 6 in the same manner as the display on the nurse call master unit 3 (not shown). Thereafter, the process returns to step S13 and repeats the processing of each step.

[0063] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that a second-stage specific state change has occurred (Yes in step S15), the state determination unit 22 outputs a second attention state occurrence signal to the nurse call master unit 3 and the control unit 4, and also transmits the image captured by the camera 5 (patient image) to the nurse call master unit 3 (step S20).

[0064] Next, upon receiving the second attention state occurrence signal, the nurse call master unit 3 issues an alarm sound from the alarm unit of the communication unit 3a (step S21). Along with the alarm sound, the notification light 38 may be illuminated to notify the occurrence of an attention state. The alarm sound and the light color of the notification light 38 output upon receiving the second attention state occurrence signal are preferably different from the alarm sound and the light color output upon receiving the first attention state occurrence signal.

[0065] Next, the base unit CPU 31 of the nurse call base unit 3 reads the camera ID information included in the second alert state occurrence signal, references the information storage unit 35 to identify the patient who sent the notification, and displays the patient information of the identified patient on the display unit 3b, along with the transmitted patient video on the display unit 3b (step S22). The patient information includes, for example, the hospital room number, the patient name, and source information such as the medical department. It is preferable that the message displayed on the message display unit D3 upon receiving the second alert state occurrence signal be different from the message displayed upon receiving the first alert state occurrence signal. When the second alert state occurrence signal is received, for example, a message such as "Second-stage risky behavior has occurred" may be displayed. The nurse call base unit 3 also stores the patient video data transmitted from the camera 5 in the information storage unit 35.

[0066] Next, upon receiving the second attention state occurrence signal, the control unit 4 references the information storage unit 35 of the nurse call base unit 3 based on the camera ID information included in the second attention state occurrence signal, and obtains the associated nurse information and mobile terminal information. The control unit 4 then transmits a notification signal notifying the occurrence of an attention state, together with source information such as the hospital room number, warning information alerting the nurse, and the video captured by the camera 5, to the associated mobile terminal 6, i.e., the mobile terminal 6 carried by the nurse in charge (step S23). Upon receiving the signal from the control unit 4, the portable terminal 6 displays the source information, patient image, warning information, and message on the display unit 6a of the portable terminal 6 in the same manner as the display of the nurse call master unit 3 (not shown).

[0067] As described above, the nurse call system 100 according to this embodiment includes the nurse call handset 1, the hallway light 2, the nurse call master unit 3 installed in the nurse's station, and the camera 5 that captures images of the patient in bed from above the bed. The camera 5 includes a state determination unit 22 that detects the patient M's movement on the bed from the captured image and outputs a first warning state signal when the patient M's movement exceeds a predetermined range H on the bed. The nurse call master unit 3 includes an alarm unit (communication unit 3a) that receives the first warning state signal and executes a first alarm operation. This configuration can detect dangerous behaviors other than the patient M getting up or leaving the bed by, for example, detecting the patient's movement toward the edge of the bed and notifying the nurse's station, thereby more reliably preventing the patient M from falling or tipping over from the bed 9.

[0068] Furthermore, in the nurse call system 100 of the present invention, the predetermined range H is the central area of ​​the bed 9. By setting the central area of ​​the bed 9 as the predetermined range H, movement of the patient M to the edge of the bed can be easily detected.

[0069] Furthermore, in the nurse call system 100 of the present invention, the nurse call master unit 3 further includes a setting unit 34 that can manually change the predetermined range H. This configuration makes it possible to change the detection range depending on various conditions, such as the patient's attributes and the bed shape, thereby suppressing malfunctions.

[0070] Furthermore, the nurse call system 100 of the present invention further includes a portable terminal 6 that the nurse carries to respond to calls from the nurse call handset 1, and a communication control means (controller 4) that receives a first caution state occurrence signal and transmits captured video to the portable terminal 6. With this configuration, even if the nurse is not at the nurse's station, the nurse can be notified of the patient's dangerous behavior, allowing the nurse to take appropriate action.

[0071] Furthermore, in the nurse call system 100 of the present invention, the state determination unit 22 outputs a second attention state occurrence signal when it determines from the captured image C that at least one of the following states has occurred: the patient M's head or body is facing away from the bed 9, the patient M has sat up, or the patient M has left the bed. The notification unit receives the second attention state occurrence signal and executes a second notification action that is different from the first notification action. With this configuration, if the patient M not only moves to the edge of the bed but also performs another action that requires attention, a stronger notification action is executed, allowing the nurse to properly recognize the patient M's condition and contributing to nursing care.

[0072] Furthermore, the nurse call system 100 of the present invention further includes a portable terminal 6 carried by the nurse to respond to calls from the nurse call handset 1, and a communication control means that receives a first attention state occurrence signal and transmits captured video to the portable terminal 6, and when a second attention state occurrence signal is received, the communication control means transmits the captured video and warning information to the portable terminal 6. With this configuration, when a patient takes an action that requires more attention, such as getting out of bed, warning information is sent along with a video of the patient to the nurse's portable terminal 6, which allows the nurse to respond quickly.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the camera 5 is installed above the head of the patient lying face down on the bed, but the mounting position of the camera 5 may be any position above the bed, for example, the camera 5 may be installed above the feet of the patient M lying face down on the bed 9. By capturing an image from above the bed 9, the captured image of the bed does not change even if there is a person around the bed, thereby preventing malfunction.

[0074] Furthermore, the patient image displayed on the image display section D2 of the display unit 3b is not limited to one image, and if overlapping attention state occurrence signals are transmitted from multiple cameras 5, multiple corresponding images may be displayed on the display unit 3b.

[0075] In addition, in the above embodiment, the status determination unit 22 is provided in the camera 5, but this is not limiting. A dedicated server may be configured to constantly receive the video from the camera 5, and the status determination unit 22 may be provided in the server.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the monitoring operation of the patient M in the nurse call system 100 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the monitoring operation in this embodiment may be realized as a status determination system that captures an image of the patient M on the bed, detects the patient M's movement on the bed from the captured image, and outputs a warning status generation signal to notify predetermined relevant parties when the patient M's movement exceeds a predetermined range H on the bed. In this case, the status determination system can be easily configured by combining a camera with a control device (e.g., a computer) equipped with a status determination unit and a notification unit.

[0077] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be freely modified, improved, etc. The material, shape, dimensions, numerical values, form, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1: Nurse call handset, 2: Corridor light, 3: Nurse call base unit, 3a: Communication unit (an example of an alarm unit), 3b: Display unit, 3c: Board unit, 4: Controller (an example of a communication control means), 5: Camera, 6: Mobile terminal, 6a: Display unit, 7: Switchboard, 8: Base station, 9: Bed, 21: Camera CPU, 22: Status determination unit, 23: Memory unit, 24, 39: Communication interface (communication IF), 31: Base unit CPU, 32: Video processing unit, 33: Touch panel, 34: Setting unit, 35: Information storage unit, 37: Audio processing unit, 38: Notification light, 100: Nurse call system, E: Bed area, H: Predetermined range

Claims

1. A nurse call system having a nurse call handset that is installed on a bed and allows a patient to call a nurse, and a nurse call master unit that is installed in a nurse station and responds to calls made by the nurse call handset, a camera that captures an image of a patient on a bed from above the bed; a state determination unit that detects movement of the patient on the bed from the image captured by the camera, and outputs a first attention state generation signal when the movement exceeds a predetermined range on the bed; The nurse call system includes a nurse call master unit that receives the first attention state occurrence signal and executes a first notification operation, and a setting unit that can change the specified range.

2. The nurse call system according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined range is a central area of ​​the bed.

3. a mobile terminal carried by the nurse to answer a call from the nurse call handset; a communication control means for receiving the first attention state occurrence signal and transmitting the captured image to the mobile terminal; The nurse call system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. A nurse call system having a nurse call handset that is installed on a bed and allows a patient to call a nurse, and a nurse call master unit that is installed in a nurse station and responds to calls made by the nurse call handset, a camera that captures an image of a patient on a bed from above the bed; a state determination unit that detects movement of the patient on the bed from the image captured by the camera, and outputs a first attention state generation signal when the movement exceeds a predetermined range on the bed; the state determination unit outputs a second attention state occurrence signal when determining from the captured image that at least one of a state in which the patient's head or body is facing outward from the bed, a state in which the patient has sat up, and a state in which the patient has left the bed has occurred; The nurse call master unit has an alarm unit that receives the first attention state occurrence signal and executes a first alarm operation, The notification unit receives the second attention state occurrence signal and executes a second notification action different from the first notification action.

5. a mobile terminal carried by the nurse to answer a call from the nurse call handset; a communication control means for receiving the first attention state occurrence signal and transmitting the captured image to the mobile terminal; and The nurse call system according to claim 4 , wherein the communication control means transmits the captured image and warning information to the mobile terminal when the second attention state occurrence signal is received.

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