Charger with communication capabilities

Abstract

To determine whether a place to which a confirmation target person returns is a place of residence or dwelling even in a case where a determination of the place of residence or the dwelling utilizing a GPS satellite is difficult.SOLUTION: A battery charger 500 is disposed in a place of residence or dwelling of a confirmation target person in order to charge a battery 105 of a notification device 100 in which communication means 106 is mounted. The notification device 100 is configured to perform a notification to a previously registered notification destination external apparatus 200 when it is determined that the confirmation target person returns to the place of residence or the dwelling, and communication means 502 for communicating with the notification device 100 is mounted in the battery charger 500.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charger having a communication means.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a reporting device suitable for use as a wandering prevention device. This reporting device is a reporting device worn on the shoes of a person for whom location confirmation is desired when going out, such as a person with dementia, a person at risk of wandering, a person with intellectual disability, an elderly person, a child, or an infant. This reporting device includes a detachment detection means for detecting the detachment and attachment of the shoes by the person to be confirmed, a position detection means for detecting the position of the person to be confirmed wearing the shoes using GPS satellites, a communication means for communicating with an external reporting device via a communication network, a battery for storing power for driving the reporting device, and a control device for controlling the entire reporting device.

[0003] Based on at least one of the detection result by the position detection means and the detection result by the detachment detection means, the control device determines whether the reporting condition to the external reporting device is satisfied, and when it is determined that the reporting condition is satisfied, it reports to the external reporting device registered in advance as the reporting destination.

[0004] The control device also has a home determination means and a return home determination means. The home determination means determines whether the current position of the person to be confirmed is at home. The return home determination means determines that the person to be confirmed has returned home when it is detected by the detachment detection means that the person to be confirmed has taken off the shoes and it is determined by the home determination means that the current position is at home. Then, the control device determines that the reporting condition is satisfied when it is detected by the detachment detection means that the person to be confirmed has put on the shoes, when it is not detected by the detachment detection means that the person to be confirmed has put on the shoes for a predetermined time or more, and when it is determined by the return home determination means that the person to be confirmed has returned home.

[0005] The control device determines whether the place where the person being monitored removed their shoes is their home as follows: The control device identifies the current location of the person being monitored when it detects that they have removed their shoes, based on the output from the location detection means. The location of the person being monitored's home is pre-registered and stored in the control device's memory. If the control device determines that the identified current location is the pre-registered location of the person's home, it determines that the place where the person being monitored removed their shoes is their residence or dwelling. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4997617 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Incidentally, with the aforementioned determination method using GPS satellites, if the entrance to the residence or dwelling (hereinafter, including home, day care, short-stay facilities, etc.) is in an environment where communication with GPS satellites is difficult, it is difficult to determine whether the place where the person to be confirmed removed their shoes is their residence or dwelling. Also, if the residence or dwelling is on any floor of a multi-story apartment building, it is difficult to determine the floor using GPS satellites, and similarly, it is difficult to determine whether the place where the person to be confirmed removed their shoes is their residence or dwelling. Similar difficulties arise when determining whether the person to be confirmed has left their residence or dwelling.

[0008] This invention was made in view of the circumstances described above, and utilizes GPS satellites. Living This invention aims to provide a charger with communication capabilities that enables the determination of whether the place a person returns to is their residence or domicile, even when determining their place of residence or domicile is difficult.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a charger with communication means that enables the determination of whether or not a person has gone out, even when it is difficult to determine their place of residence or whereabouts using GPS satellites. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To solve the aforementioned problems, the charger according to the present invention is a charger that is placed at the residence or domicile of a person to be identified in order to charge the battery of a notification device equipped with communication means, The aforementioned notification device is When it is determined that the person being monitored has returned to their place of residence or domicile, a notification is sent to a pre-registered external device. The aforementioned charger includes: The device is characterized by being equipped with communication means for communicating with the aforementioned notification device.

[0011] According to the charger of the present invention, when the person to be identified returns to their residence or domicile, communication is initiated between the communication means (such as Bluetooth) installed in the charger and the communication means (such as Bluetooth) in the notification device. Once communication is initiated between the communication means (such as Bluetooth) installed in the charger and the communication means (such as Bluetooth) in the notification device, the notification device notifies a pre-registered external notification device that the person to be identified's current location is a pre-registered residence or domicile. Therefore, even when it is difficult to determine the residence or domicile using GPS satellites, the communication means installed in the charger and the communication means installed in the notification device make it possible to determine whether the place the person to be identified has returned to is their residence or domicile.

[0012] Furthermore, a charger in another embodiment of the present invention is, A charger placed at the residence or domicile of the person being investigated in order to charge the battery of a notification device equipped with communication means, The aforementioned notification device is When it is determined that the person being monitored has left their place of residence or domicile, a notification is sent to a pre-registered external device. The aforementioned charger includes: The device is characterized by being equipped with communication means for communicating with the aforementioned notification device.

[0013] According to the charger of the present invention, when the person to be monitored goes out, communication between the notification device and the charger is interrupted. In this case, the notification device notifies a pre-registered external device to be notified. Therefore, even when it is difficult to determine the place of residence or whereabouts using GPS satellites, it is possible to determine when the person to be monitored has gone out using the communication means installed in the charger and the communication means installed in the notification device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual diagram of a notification system having communication means according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0016] Figure 1 shows a charger 500 having a communication means according to one embodiment of the present invention. The charger 500 can determine whether the location to which the person to be confirmed, who is carrying the notification device, is returning is a pre-registered residence or domicile, when communication with the notification device 100 is initiated. The charger 500 can also determine whether the person to be confirmed, who is carrying the notification device, has left their residence or domicile, when communication with the notification device 100 is interrupted. Figure 1 shows a notification system 10 including the charger 500 and the notification device 100.

[0017] First, the reporting device 100 carried by the person to be confirmed will be described. The person to be confirmed refers to a person for whom location confirmation during going out is desired, such as a person with dementia, a person at risk of wandering, a person with intellectual disability, an elderly person, a child, an infant, etc. By having the person to be confirmed carry the reporting device 100, location information of the person to be confirmed and the like are automatically reported to an external reporting device (reporting terminal 200) of a person registered in advance as a reporting destination, such as a protector or a relative of the person to be confirmed. Various modes can be considered for the method of carrying the reporting device 100 by the person to be confirmed. Specifically, it is advisable to attach the reporting device in advance to an item that the person to be confirmed will inevitably carry when going out. Examples of the carried item include the shoes of the person to be confirmed, the key to the entrance of the place of residence or dwelling, a hat, a bag, etc.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the reporting device 100 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) module 101, a communication module 102, a control device 103, a carrying detection sensor 104, a battery 105, and a communication means 106.

[0019] The GPS module 101 is a position detection means for the person to be confirmed who carries the reporting device 100. It communicates with the GPS satellite 300 and receives positioning information for specifying the current position from the GPS satellite 300. The GPS module 101 includes an antenna, a control circuit, etc. for communicating with the GPS satellite 300.

[0020] The communication module 102 is a communication means for connecting to and communicating with an existing communication network 400 such as a smartphone or a tablet, and includes an antenna, a control circuit, etc.

[0021] The control device 103 is composed of a CPU, a memory, and other peripheral circuits, and controls the entire notification device 100. The memory constituting the control device 103 includes, for example, a volatile memory such as an SDRAM or a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The volatile memory is used as a work memory for the CPU to expand a program during program execution and as a buffer memory for temporarily recording data. Further, in the non-volatile memory, firmware for operating the notification device 100 and program data of software for operating various applications are recorded. In the present embodiment, as the control device 103, for example, an IC chip incorporating a semiconductor memory such as a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and an EEPROM is used.

[0022] The carrying detection sensor 104 is a carrying detection means for detecting the carrying of the notification device 100 by the person to be confirmed. As the carrying detection sensor 104, a temperature sensor that detects the carrying of the notification device 100 by detecting the body temperature of the person to be confirmed when the person to be confirmed wears a carrying item, a touch sensor that detects the carrying of the notification device 100 by detecting the contact of the person to be confirmed with the carrying item when the person to be confirmed wears the carrying item, or the like is used.

[0023] The battery 105 stores electric power for driving the notification device 100 and supplies it to the notification device 100. As the battery 105, a known rechargeable storage battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel hydrogen battery is used.

[0024] The communication means 106 has a function of communicating with the communication means 502 mounted on a charger 500 described later. This communication function can be realized by a wireless communication technology known per se such as BLUETOOTH (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi and the control device 103.

[0025] Next, a charger 500 in one form of this implementation will be described. The charger 500 has a charging unit 501 located at the residence or domicile of the person to be identified in order to charge the battery 105 of the notification device 100, a communication means 502 that has the function of communicating with the communication means 106 mounted on the aforementioned notification device 100, and a control device 503. The communication means 502 is directly mounted on the charger 500.

[0026] When communication is initiated between the communication means 502 and the communication means 106 mounted on the notification device 100, the current location of the person to be confirmed is determined to be their residence or domicile. Conversely, when communication is interrupted between the communication means 502 and the communication means 106 mounted on the notification device 100, it is determined that the person to be confirmed has left the premises. The communication function of the communication means 502 can be realized by a known wireless communication technology such as BLUETOOTH® or Wi-Fi and a control device 503. The control device 503 consists of a CPU, memory, and other peripheral circuits and controls the entire charger 500. In order to provide the aforementioned communication function, the charger 500 is equipped with wireless communication technology such as BLUETOOTH or Wi-Fi, and the control device 503 of the charger 500 controls the aforementioned communication function. The communication means 502 and the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 correspond via BLUETOOTH or Wi-Fi, etc.

[0027] When communication is initiated between the communication means 502 of the charger 500 and the communication means 106 of the notification device 100, the notification device 100 notifies the external notification device 200 via the communication network 400 that the current location of the person to be confirmed is their residence or domicile. Furthermore, when communication between the communication means 502 of the charger 500 and the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 is interrupted, the notification device 100 notifies the external notification device 200 via the communication network 400 that the person to be confirmed has left their residence or domicile. Therefore, even when it is difficult to determine the residence or domicile using GPS satellites, the control device 103 of the notification device 100 reliably determines whether the place the person to be confirmed has returned to is their residence or domicile, and whether the person to be confirmed has left the house or domicile, and this information is reliably communicated to the user of the external notification device 200.

[0028] Each notification device 100 has a GPS function and is assigned a phone number. Therefore, it is possible to recognize whose notification device 100 is being carried by. As a result, if the communication means 503 of one charger 500 and the communication means 106 of someone's notification device 100 react, a notification is sent to the notification terminal 200 of the person who registered that notification device 100. Multiple notification devices 100 can be registered to one notification terminal 200. If a notification terminal 200 knows its security number, it can view the location information of multiple people simultaneously.

[0029] The charger 500 is installed in or near the location where the notification device 100 will inevitably be placed when the person being monitored returns to their residence or domicile. As a result, when the person being monitored returns to their residence or domicile, communication will inevitably begin between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500. Once communication begins between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500, the communication means 502 installed in the charger 500 will reliably notify the external notification device 200 via the notification device 100 that the person being monitored is currently at their residence or domicile.

[0030] The place where the person to be confirmed will inevitably place the notification device 100 when they return to their residence or dwelling, or a place near it, may be the place where the person to be confirmed habitually places their personal belongings (notification device) when they return, or, in relation to the specific arrangement of the notification device 100 and the charger 500, the place where the personal belongings (notification device 100) are placed when they return may coincide with the location where the charger 500 is installed.

[0031] An example of the latter is that, if the item carried by the person being monitored is shoes, the charger 500 can be placed on or near a doormat at the entrance of the person's residence or dwelling. Since shoes are always worn when going out and taken off at the entrance when returning, if the notification device 100 is attached to the shoes and the charger 500 is placed on or near the doormat, the combination of shoes and doormat allows for reliable determination of whether the person being monitored has returned to or left their residence or dwelling by checking whether or not there is communication between the notification device 100 and the charger 500. In other words, when the person being monitored returns to their residence or dwelling and takes off their shoes (notification device 100) on the doormat, communication between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500 is initiated. When communication begins between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500, the notification device 100 transmits to the notification terminal 200 that the place of return is the residence or domicile. Furthermore, when the person being monitored puts on their shoes (notification device 100) and leaves the doormat when going out, communication between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500 is interrupted. When communication between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500 is interrupted, the notification device 100 transmits to the notification terminal 200 that the person being monitored has gone out.

[0032] Furthermore, if the item carried by the person being checked is a front door key, the charger 500 can be placed in the key case or key hook at the person's residence or dwelling. In this case, when the person being checked returns, they return the front door key (notification device 100) to the key storage case or key hook at their residence or dwelling, which initiates communication between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500. Once communication between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500 begins, the communication means 106 installed in the notification device 100 transmits to the notification terminal 200 that the place of return is the person's residence or dwelling. Also, when the person being checked goes out, they take the front door key (notification device 100) from the key case or key hook, which interrupts communication between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500. If communication between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500 is interrupted, the communication means 106 installed in the notification device 100 will transmit to the notification terminal 200 that the person to be checked has left the premises.

[0033] Figure 1 also includes a communication system 10 using a notification device 100 and a charger 500. The notification system 10 consists of the notification device 100, the charger 500, a notification destination terminal 200 which is an external device to which notifications are received, GPS satellites 300, and a communication network 400. In Figure 1, the communication network 400 is, for example, a mobile phone network, and the communication module 102 communicates with the notification destination terminal 200 via the mobile phone network. The notification destination terminal 200 can be, for example, a mobile phone or smartphone that can connect to the mobile phone network, or an information device equipped with a communication module that can connect to the mobile phone network, such as a personal digital assistant or a personal computer. If the person to be checked is elderly, the notification destination terminal 200 will be a mobile phone owned by a care manager, home helper, family member, cohabiting caregiver, or staff member of a care facility. If the person to be checked is a child or infant, the notification destination terminal 200 will be a mobile phone owned by a guardian, kindergarten or school teacher, etc.

[0034] The communication module 102 of the notification device 100 and the notification destination terminal 200 are each assigned a unique identifier, such as an ID number, to identify them in order to communicate with each other via the mobile phone network 400. The communication module 102 of the notification device 100 and the notification destination terminal 200 can communicate with each other by identifying their communication partner using their respective ID numbers. That is, the notification device 100 and the notification destination terminal 200 each have their respective communication partner ID numbers registered in advance, and when communication occurs, they identify the device with the registered ID number as the communication destination and initiate communication.

[0035] In this embodiment, when the control device 103 determines that a pre-set notification condition has been met, it connects to the communication network 400 via the communication module 102 and notifies the notification destination terminal 200 of this fact. For this purpose, the flash memory of the control device 103 has the ID number of the notification destination terminal 200, which is necessary to identify the notification destination terminal 200, recorded in advance. The control device 103 reads the ID number from the flash memory to identify the ID number of the notification destination terminal 200, and then controls the communication module 102 to send a notification to the notification destination terminal 200 with the identified ID number.

[0036] The content of the notification at this time includes, for example, information indicating what notification conditions were met when the notification was made, and the current location information of the person being notified. In this embodiment, the control device 103 will determine that the notification conditions have been met when any of the following notification conditions (A) to (F) are met, and will send a notification to the notification destination terminal 200.

[0037] (A) When the person to be checked goes out When a person to be monitored leaves their residence or domicile carrying the notification device 100, communication between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500 is interrupted. The control device 103 of the notification device 100 determines that the notification conditions have been met when it detects the interruption of communication between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500, based on the carrying detection sensor 104 and the communication means 106. This determination method ensures that the determination of whether a person to be monitored has left their residence or domicile is made reliably, even if the residence or domicile is in an environment where communication with GPS satellites 300 is difficult. The control device 103 controls the communication module 102 to notify the notification destination terminal 200 via the communication network that the person to be monitored has left their residence. This allows the owner of the notification destination terminal 200 to know that the person to be monitored has left their residence.

[0038] (B) When the person being checked returns When the person to be checked returns to their residence or domicile with the item they are carrying (notification device), communication begins between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500. The control device 103 of the notification device 100 determines that the notification conditions have been met when it detects the start of communication between the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 and the communication means 502 of the charger 500, based on the carrying detection sensor 104 and the communication means 106. This determination method ensures that the person to be checked has returned to their residence or domicile, even if their residence or domicile is in an environment where communication with GPS satellites 300 is difficult. The control device 103 controls the communication module 102 to notify the notification destination terminal 200 via the communication network 400 that the person to be checked has returned. This allows the owner of the notification destination terminal 200 to be assured that the person to be checked has returned safely.

[0039] (C) When the person being checked does not wear the item (notification device) for an extended period of time. The control device 103 of the notification device 100 starts timing using a timer (not shown) from the moment the person being monitored returns the item (notification device) to its original storage location. The control device 103 then determines that the notification conditions have been met if the person being monitored is not detected wearing the item for a predetermined period of time, for example, three days or more. In this case, the control device 103 controls the communication module 102 to notify the notification destination terminal 200 via the communication network 400 that the person being monitored has not been out for an extended period of time. This allows the owner of the notification destination terminal 200 to quickly understand that the person being monitored may be unable to go out due to illness or other reasons, and to take appropriate action, such as checking the person's status.

[0040] (D) When the person to be checked reaches a pre-set notification point The control device 103 of the notification device 100 determines the current location of the person being monitored at regular intervals, for example every minute, based on the output from the GPS module 101, while the person is carrying the item. The control device 103 then determines that the notification conditions have been met when it determines that the person being monitored has reached a pre-set notification point. For example, the notification point may be a location more than a predetermined distance away from the residence or domicile, or a location within a predetermined distance from a place that is dangerous to enter.

[0041] (E) When the person being reported is carrying personal items for an extended period of time. The control device 103 of the notification device 100 starts timing using a timer (not shown) from the moment the person to be checked starts carrying the item. The control device 103 then determines that the notification conditions have been met when a predetermined time, for example, 3 hours or more, has elapsed since the person to be checked started carrying the item. Since a person to be checked carrying the item for a long period of time means that the person to be checked has been away for a long time, in this case, the control device 103 controls the communication module 102 to notify the notification terminal 200 via the communication network 400 that the person to be checked has not returned for a long time. This allows the owner of the notification terminal 200 to quickly understand that the person to be notified may not be able to return for reasons such as not knowing the way back to their residence or having been involved in an accident while away from home, and to take early measures to prevent the situation from worsening, such as going to bring them back or contacting the local police. Dementia Elderly people tend not to feel tired, so they may continue walking for long periods of time. In such cases, setting up notification conditions is beneficial so that family members or others can be notified early about extended outings.

[0042] (F) When the reporting terminal 200 requests the current location In this embodiment, the owner of the reporting terminal 200 can inquire about the current location of the reporting device 100 installed on the item carried by the person being monitored. The control device 103 receives the current location inquiry from the reporting terminal 200 via the communication module 102. When the control device 103 detects that the reporting terminal 200 has inquired about the current location, it determines that the reporting conditions have been met. In this case, the control device 103 controls the communication module 102 to connect to the communication network and reports the current location, determined based on the output from the GPS module 101, to the reporting terminal 200. This allows the owner of the reporting terminal 200 to inquire about the current location at any time when they realize that the person being monitored has gone missing or when they are concerned about the person's whereabouts.

[0043] In this way, by sending information indicating which reporting condition (A) to (F) has been met, along with the current location information of the person being monitored, to the reporting terminal 200 when it is determined that any of the reporting conditions (A) to (F) have been met, it becomes possible to reduce the caregiving burden on the owner of the reporting terminal 200. In addition, it becomes possible to ensure the safety of the elderly, children, and infants.

[0044] One form of this implementation, a charger equipped with a communication mechanism, can reliably determine whether a person has returned to their residence or domicile and whether they have left their residence or domicile without using GPS satellites. Therefore, by connecting it to electrical appliances such as air conditioners, it can be used to help prevent heatstroke among elderly people living alone. Furthermore, the communication function within the charger can connect to other communication devices, enabling various services, such as turning electrical appliances on and off, making it possible to remotely monitor the lives of elderly people living alone.

[0045] In the above embodiment, a case was described in which the charger 500 has a communication means 502. However, the charger 500 may not have a communication means 502, and a separate communication means 502 may be provided near the charger 500. The communication function of the communication means 502 can be realized by a known wireless communication technology such as BLUETOOTH® or Wi-Fi and a control device 503. The control device 503 consists of a CPU, memory, and other peripheral circuits and controls the entire charger 500. In order to provide each of the aforementioned communication functions, the charging unit 501 is equipped with wireless communication technology such as BLUETOOTH or Wi-Fi, and each of the aforementioned communication functions is controlled by the control device 503 of the charger 500. The communication means 502 and the communication means 106 of the notification device 100 correspond using BLUETOOTH or Wi-Fi, etc. When communication is initiated between the communication means 502 and the communication means 106 installed in the notification device 100, the current location of the person to be confirmed will be their residence or domicile. On the other hand, when communication is interrupted between the communication means 502 and the communication means 106 installed in the notification device 100, it is determined that the person being checked has left the premises.

[0046] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the gist of the present invention are also included. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be combined by utilizing each other's technologies, as long as there are no particular contradictions or problems in their purpose and configuration. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 100 Notification device 105 Battery 106 Communication methods 200 External devices (terminals) to which reports are received. 500 Return / Exit Detection Device 501 charger 502 Communication methods

Claims

1. A charger placed at the residence or domicile of the person being investigated in order to charge the battery of a notification device equipped with communication means, The aforementioned notification device sends a notification to a pre-registered external device when it is determined that the person being monitored has returned to their place of residence or domicile. The charger is equipped with communication means for communicating with the notification device, The charger is characterized in that the communication means includes a determination means that determines that the location is the residence or domicile based on the commencement of communication with the notification device.

2. A notification device that, when it is determined that the person being monitored has returned to their place of residence or domicile, notifies a pre-registered external device to be notified, A charger located at the residence or domicile of a person to be identified for the purpose of charging the battery of the notification device, and which is not equipped with communication means for communicating with the notification device; and a charger located near the charger and having communication means for communicating with the notification device, wherein the communication means includes determination means for determining that the location is the residence or domicile based on the commencement of communication with the notification device.

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