Emergency Call System

Abstract

To provide an emergency call system that can be easily constructed without high precision in the installation location and direction of an apparatus and that can identify the location of an emergency call.SOLUTION: An emergency call system includes an emergency call apparatus, in-floor location discriminators, and an emergency call signal receiver. One or more in-floor location discriminators are installed on the ceiling. During an emergency call, the emergency call apparatus sends an emergency call signal B to the in-floor location discriminators, and the in-floor location discriminators display a receiving direction and send an emergency call signal C to the emergency call signal receiver. The emergency call signal receiver displays individual identification information of the emergency call apparatus and individual identification information of the in-floor location discriminators.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is an emergency call system, particularly an emergency call system using wireless communication that can recognize the location where an emergency call is made indoors.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an emergency call system, a portable wireless transmitter is used as a transmission terminal, and a predetermined signal is transmitted by radio waves in response to the operation of a push button switch provided in the transmitter or the detection of a tilt detection sensor, and is received by a receiver installed in another location, thereby there is a system for making an emergency call (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

[0003] Also, as positioning used for position detection, outdoors, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) such as wireless GPS (Global Positioning System) is generally used with high accuracy. However, indoors, since GNSS radio waves are difficult to reach, wireless positioning is performed by receiving radio waves transmitted from wireless communication devices such as BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy) and estimating the distance from the received signal strength (RSSI, Received Signal Strength Indicator), or by using UWB (Ultra Wide Band) or the like to transmit radio waves and then calculating the distance from the time (ToA, Time of Arrival) from transmission to reception to estimate the position. To estimate the position more accurately in a two-dimensional plane or a three-dimensional space, there is a method of installing multiple receiving terminals and calculating the position like triangulation, or otherwise, a method of receiving radio waves transmitted from wireless communication devices such as BLE and UWB with multiple antennas and estimating the position by the angle of arrival (AoA, Angle of Arrival), and IMES (Indoor MEssaging System) or the like is generally used. The calculated position information is displayed on map data such as a floor plan created in advance so that it can be visually confirmed.

[0004] Emergency call systems are widely used to connect various locations, such as between store clerks and offices in shopping malls, between patients and nurses' stations in hospitals, between residents of elderly care facilities and staff stations, between residents of senior housing and management offices, and between factory workers and management offices. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-205374 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-98928 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] In an emergency call system, displaying location information on map data required preparing a map and setting the location of the equipment used to determine the location on the map. Furthermore, the location and orientation of the equipment had to be precisely determined. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) To solve the above problems, an emergency call system for use inside a building, wherein the emergency call system comprises an emergency call unit equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, a floor location determination unit equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, and an emergency call signal receiver equipped with a wireless receiver, wherein one or more floor location determination units are installed on the ceiling, the emergency call unit transmits a floor location determination signal containing its own individual identification information to the floor location determination unit at regular intervals, and when the floor location determination unit receives the floor location determination signal transmitted by the emergency call unit, it stores the individual identification information of the emergency call unit included in the received floor location determination signal and the direction of reception of the floor location determination signal for a certain period of time, and in the event of an emergency call, the emergency The caller transmits an emergency call signal B containing its own individual identification information to the floor location determination device. If the individual identification information of the emergency caller contained in the received emergency call signal B matches the individual identification information of the emergency caller stored for a certain period of time by the floor location determination device, the floor location determination device displays the direction of reception of the floor location determination signal transmitted from the emergency caller that it has stored for a certain period of time, corresponding to the individual identification information of the emergency caller that matched the individual identification information of the emergency caller. The floor location determination device also transmits an emergency call signal C containing the individual identification information of the emergency caller that transmitted the received emergency call signal B and the individual identification information of the floor location determination device to the emergency call signal receiver. The emergency call signal receiver displays the individual identification information of the emergency caller and the individual identification information of the floor location determination device contained in the received emergency call signal C.

[0008] (2) An emergency call system for use within a building, the emergency call system comprising an emergency call unit equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, a floor determination unit equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, a floor location determination unit equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, and an emergency call signal receiver equipped with a wireless receiver, wherein one or more floor determination units are installed on the ceiling of each floor and store information of the floor in which they are installed, and one or more floor location determination units are installed on the ceiling of each floor and are installed The emergency call device stores the floor information it has, transmits a floor location determination signal containing its own individual identification information to the floor determination device at regular intervals, transmits a floor location determination signal containing its own individual identification information and floor information to the floor location determination device at regular intervals, the floor determination device comprises a receiving area α at a predetermined angle in the vertical downward direction and a receiving area β located outside adjacent to the receiving area α, and on the floor surface of the floor on which it is installed, within the combined range of the receiving area α and the receiving area β, the receiving area of ​​the floor determination device installed one floor above The floor location determination device is installed so as to include all of α, and when it receives the floor location determination signal transmitted by the emergency call device from the receiving area α or the receiving area β, it transmits a signal A to the emergency call device that includes the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received floor location determination signal, the received area information, and the floor information on which the floor location determination device itself is installed. The emergency call device, within a predetermined time from the completion of transmission of the floor location determination signal, receives one or more signals A transmitted by the floor location determination device that include its own individual identification information, and when the area information included in signal AL, which is the lowest floor on which the floor location determination device itself is installed in the received signal A, is the receiving area α, it updates the floor location information to be the floor on which the floor location determination device itself is installed in signal AL, and when the area information included in signal AL, which is the lowest floor on which the floor location determination device itself is installed in the received signal A, is the receiving area β, it does not update the floor location information and retains it. When the floor location determination device receives the floor location determination signal transmitted by the emergency call device,If the floor information included in the floor location determination signal matches the floor information on which the floor location determination device itself is installed, the device stores the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received floor location determination signal and the direction of reception of the floor location determination signal for a certain period of time. When an emergency call is made, the emergency call device transmits an emergency call signal B, which includes its own individual identification information and the floor information, to the floor location determination device. The floor location determination device then stores the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received emergency call signal B for a certain period of time. Preferably, when the individual identification information matches, the system displays the reception direction of the floor location determination signal transmitted from the emergency call unit, which is stored for a certain period of time and corresponds to the individual identification information of the matching emergency call unit. It also transmits an emergency call signal C to the emergency call signal receiver, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit that transmitted the received emergency call signal B and the individual identification information of the floor location determination unit itself. The emergency call signal receiver then displays the individual identification information of the emergency call unit and the individual identification information of the floor location determination unit included in the received emergency call signal C.

[0009] (3) In the emergency call system described in (2), when an emergency call is made, the emergency call device transmits an emergency call signal B, which includes its own individual identification information and the floor information it is located on, to the floor discrimination device. If the floor information it is located on, which is included in the received emergency call signal B, matches the floor information on which the floor discrimination device itself is installed, the floor discrimination device transmits an emergency call signal D, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received emergency call signal B and the individual identification information of the floor discrimination device itself, to the emergency call signal receiver. The emergency call signal receiver preferably displays the individual identification information of the emergency call device and the individual identification information of the floor discrimination device included in the received emergency call signal D.

[0010] (4) In the emergency call system described in any of (1) to (3), it is preferable that the signal used for emergency calls is a radio wave with a frequency of less than 1 GHz, and signals other than the signal used for emergency calls are radio waves with a frequency of 1 GHz or higher.

[0011] In the emergency call system described in (5)(4), it is preferable that the floor position determination device is equipped with multiple light sources arranged in a 360-degree horizontal line, and that the direction of reception is indicated by lighting or flashing the light source in the direction corresponding to the direction of radio wave reception.

[0012] (6) In the emergency call system described in (1), when the floor location determination device receives the floor location determination signal transmitted by the emergency call device, it is preferable that the floor location determination device stores the distance to the received emergency call device for a certain period of time, and when an emergency call is made, if the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received emergency call signal B matches the individual identification information of the emergency call device that has been stored for a certain period of time, the floor location determination device displays the distance to the emergency call device that has been stored for a certain period of time corresponding to the individual identification information of the matched emergency call device.

[0013] In the emergency call system described in (7)(6), it is preferable that the floor position determination device is equipped with multiple light sources arranged in a 360-degree horizontal line, and that the direction of reception is indicated by lighting or flashing the light source in the direction corresponding to the direction of radio wave reception.

[0014] In the emergency call system described in (8)(7), when an emergency call is made, it is preferable that the floor position determination device indicates the distance to the emergency call device by the difference in the flashing period of the light source, or by the brightness or darkness, or both.

[0015] In the emergency call system described in (9)(2), when the floor location determination device receives the floor location determination signal transmitted by the emergency call device, if the floor information included in the floor location determination signal matches the floor information on which the floor location determination device itself is installed, it is preferable that the floor location determination device stores the distance to the received emergency call device for a certain period of time, and when an emergency call is made, if the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received emergency call signal B matches the individual identification information stored for a certain period of time, the floor location determination device displays the distance to the emergency call device that has been stored for a certain period of time and matches the individual identification information of the emergency call device.

[0016] In the emergency call system described in (10)(9), when an emergency call is made, the emergency call device transmits an emergency call signal B, which includes its own individual identification information and the floor information it is located on, to the floor discrimination device. If the floor information it is located on, which is included in the received emergency call signal B, matches the floor information on which the floor discrimination device itself is installed, the floor discrimination device transmits an emergency call signal D, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received emergency call signal B and the individual identification information of the floor discrimination device itself, to the emergency call signal receiver. The emergency call signal receiver preferably displays the individual identification information of the emergency call device and the individual identification information of the floor discrimination device included in the received emergency call signal D.

[0017] In the emergency call system described in (11)(9) or (10), it is preferable that the signal used for emergency calls is a radio wave with a frequency of less than 1 GHz, and signals other than the signal used for emergency calls are radio waves with a frequency of 1 GHz or higher.

[0018] In the emergency call system described in (12)(11), it is preferable that the floor position determination device is equipped with multiple light sources arranged in a 360-degree horizontal line, and that the direction of reception is indicated by lighting or flashing the light source in the direction corresponding to the direction of radio wave reception.

[0019] In the emergency call system described in (13)(12), when an emergency call is made, it is preferable that the floor position determination device indicates the distance to the emergency call device by the difference in the flashing period of the light source, or by brightness or darkness, or both.

[0020] In the emergency call system described in (14)(13), it is preferable that the floor location determination device determines the distance to the emergency call device based on the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) value of the received floor location determination signal.

[0021] In the emergency call system described in (15)(13), it is preferable that the in-floor position discriminator measures the distance to the emergency call device by ToA (Time of Arrival).

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] In the present invention, it is possible to determine the position where an emergency call has occurred by checking the display of the reception direction of the in-floor position discriminator without requiring map data. Also, the accuracy of the installation location and installation direction of the device does not have to be high, and construction can be easily performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an installation example of a floor discriminator and an in-floor position discriminator on a certain floor in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the vicinity of the floor discriminator in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example when the emergency call device in an embodiment of the present invention updates the presence floor information. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example when the emergency call device in an embodiment of the present invention does not update the presence floor information. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing the normal state in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing the emergency call state in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of the in-floor position discriminator in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of the in-floor position discriminator in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing the vicinity of the floor discriminator in another embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] The emergency call system of the present invention comprises an emergency call device equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, a floor determination device equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, a floor location determination device equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, and an emergency call signal receiver equipped with a wireless receiver, and is used within a building.

[0026] Emergency call devices are carried by people inside the building, floor identification devices and floor location identification devices are installed on the ceiling of each floor, and emergency call signal receivers are installed in management offices and other locations within the building.

[0027] Figure 1 is a top-down view showing an example of the installation of a floor level discriminator and a floor location discriminator on a certain floor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Floor identification devices are installed at entrances and exits on each floor where people are expected to pass through the building. In Figure 1, floor identification device 10a is installed near the entrance from staircase 2 to floor 1, and floor identification device 10b is installed near the entrance from elevator 3 to floor 1. In addition, floor location identification devices 21-26 are installed within floor 1.

[0028] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the vicinity of the floor discrimination device of an embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic cross-sectional view from the horizontal direction of a three-story building. Floor discrimination unit 11 is installed on the ceiling of the 1st floor, floor discrimination unit 12 is installed on the ceiling of the 2nd floor, and floor discrimination unit 13 is installed on the ceiling of the 3rd floor. Each of the floor discrimination units 11, 12, and 13 has a receiving area α1, α2, and α3 at a predetermined angle in the vertical downward direction, and a receiving area β1, β2, and β3 adjacent to and outside of the receiving areas α1, α2, and α3. On the floor surface of the floor in which it is installed, the entire receiving area α of the floor discrimination unit installed one floor above is included within the combined range of its own receiving area α and its own receiving area β. In Figure 2, the receiving areas β located below the floor in which each floor discrimination unit is installed are omitted.

[0029] Figures 3 and 4 will be used to explain the updating of the floor information stored in the emergency call device. Figure 3 shows an example of when the emergency call device updates the floor information. In Figure 2, the emergency call device 30 carried by a person inside the building is located within the receiving area α2 of the floor discrimination device 12 installed on the second floor. Figure 4 shows an example of when the emergency call device does not update the floor information. In Figure 2, the emergency call device 30 carried by a person inside the building is located within the receiving area β2 of the floor discrimination device 12 installed on the second floor and within the receiving area α3 of the floor discrimination device 13 installed on the third floor.

[0030] The emergency call unit stores its own unique identification information, such as its serial number, and its floor information. Under normal circumstances, it periodically transmits a location determination signal containing its unique identification information and floor information to the floor determination unit and the floor location determination unit. Furthermore, after the emergency call unit has finished transmitting the location determination signal, it enters a predetermined receiving state for a set period of time. In this receiving state, if it receives signal A, described below, which contains its unique identification information, it performs processing related to the floor information.

[0031] The hierarchical discrimination unit stores its own individual identification information, such as its serial number, and the hierarchical information to which it is installed. Normally, when it receives a location discrimination signal transmitted by an emergency call unit from receiving area α or receiving area β, it transmits signal A to the emergency call unit, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit contained in the received location discrimination signal, the received area information, and the hierarchical information to which the hierarchical discrimination unit itself is installed.

[0032] The hierarchical discriminator is equipped with a wireless module that has multiple antennas, measures the angle of arrival (AoA), and determines which receiving area the location discrimination signal is coming from.

[0033] The location identification signal and signal A are transmitted and received using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) radio waves in the 2.4GHz band. By using radio waves in the 2.4GHz band, a high frequency band, the signal transmission time can be shortened and power consumption can be reduced. Emergency call devices are typically battery-powered because they are carried by people, and even with continuous transmission and reception at regular intervals, a long battery life can be achieved.

[0034] In Figure 3, the location identification signal transmitted by the emergency call unit 30 is received by the floor discrimination units 11 to 13. Floor discrimination unit 11 determines that the location identification signal is from outside the receiving area α1 and receiving area β1 and does not transmit. Floor discrimination unit 12 determines that the location identification signal is from the receiving area α2 and transmits signal A2 to the emergency call unit, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit 30 contained in the received location identification signal, the receiving area information that it is in the receiving area α2, and floor information that the floor discrimination unit 12 itself is installed on the 2nd floor. Floor discrimination unit 13 determines that the location identification signal is from the receiving area α3 and transmits signal A3 to the emergency call unit, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit 30 contained in the received location identification signal, the receiving area information that it is in the receiving area α3, and floor information that the floor discrimination unit 13 itself is installed on the 3rd floor.

[0035] In the reception state after the transmission of the location determination signal, the emergency call unit 30 receives signals A2 and A3, which contain its own individual identification information. Since the area information contained in signal A2 (corresponding to signal AL in the claims), which is the lowest hierarchical level in which the hierarchical level information of the hierarchical level discriminator itself is installed, is the receiving area α2, the hierarchical information contained in the received signal A2 (corresponding to signal AL in the claims), which is that the hierarchical level discriminator itself is installed on the 2nd floor, is adopted, and the existence floor information is updated to the 2nd floor.

[0036] In Figure 4, the location identification signal transmitted by the emergency call unit 30 is received by the floor discrimination units 11 to 13. Floor discrimination unit 11 determines that the location identification signal is from outside the receiving area α1 and receiving area β1 and does not transmit. Floor discrimination unit 12 determines that the location identification signal is from the receiving area β2 and transmits signal A2 which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit 30 contained in the received location identification signal, the receiving area information that it is in the receiving area β2, and the floor information that floor discrimination unit 12 itself is installed on the 2nd floor. Floor discrimination unit 13 determines that the location identification signal is from the receiving area α3 and transmits signal A3 which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit 30 contained in the received location identification signal, the receiving area information that it is in the receiving area α3, and the floor information that floor discrimination unit 13 itself is installed on the 3rd floor.

[0037] The emergency call device 30, in the reception state after the transmission of the location determination signal is completed, receives signals A2 and A3 which contain its own individual identification information. Since the area information contained in signal A2 (corresponding to signal AL in the claims), which is the lowest level of the hierarchy information in which the hierarchy determination device itself is installed, is the reception area β2, the device retains the existence hierarchy information without updating it.

[0038] If only receiving area α is used, when the emergency call device 30 is located at the position shown in Figure 4, even though the emergency call device 30 is on the 2nd floor, the floor information of its location will be updated to the 3rd floor based on the floor information contained in signal A3 from the floor discrimination device 13 installed on the 3rd floor. However, by using two receiving areas with different ranges, receiving area α and receiving area β, as in the embodiment described above, the floor information of the emergency call device can be updated accurately.

[0039] Using Figures 5 and 6, the operation of the emergency call system of the present invention after the floor information of the floor in question has been updated when the emergency call device enters the floor will be explained, assuming that floor 1 is the second floor. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the normal state of an embodiment of the present invention, where in Figure 1, the emergency call device 30 carried by a person inside the building is located on floor 1. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the emergency call state of an embodiment of the present invention, where in Figure 5, the emergency call device 30 has transmitted the emergency call signal B.

[0040] First, let's explain the normal operation. The floor location determination device stores its own individual identification information, such as a serial number, and the floor level where it is installed. Normally, when it receives a location determination signal transmitted by an emergency call device, if the floor level information included in the location determination signal matches the floor level information where the floor location determination device is installed, it transmits its own individual identification information and the distance between itself and the emergency call device to the emergency call device. At the same time, it stores the received individual identification information of the emergency call device, the direction of reception from the emergency call device, and the distance to the emergency call device for a certain period of time. After the period of time has elapsed, it is assumed that the emergency call device is not nearby and the stored information is deleted. If the floor level information included in the location determination signal differs from the floor level information where the floor location determination device is installed, the above storage process is not performed.

[0041] The floor-level location determination device is equipped with a wireless module that has multiple antennas, measures the angle of arrival (AoA), and determines the direction from which the location determination signal is received. In addition, the distance to the emergency call device is determined by the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) value of the received location determination signal, with a higher value indicating a close distance and a lower value indicating a far distance.

[0042] The location identification signal is transmitted and received using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) radio waves in the 2.4GHz band. By using radio waves in the 2.4GHz band, a high frequency band, the signal transmission time can be shortened and power consumption can be reduced. Emergency call devices are typically battery-powered because they are carried by people, and even with continuous transmission and reception at regular intervals, a long battery life can be achieved.

[0043] In Figure 5, when the person carrying the emergency call device 30 enters floor 1, the floor information is changed to floor 2 through signal exchange with the floor identification device 10a installed near the entrance / exit of the stairs 2, or the floor identification device 10b installed near the entrance / exit of the elevator.

[0044] The location identification signal transmitted by the emergency call unit 30 is received by the floor location identification units 21-24, but is not received by the floor location identification units 25 and 26 because they are too far from the emergency call unit 30.

[0045] When a floor-based location determination device 21-24 receives a location determination signal, it determines that the floor information included in the location determination signal is the 2nd floor, which matches the floor information on which the floor-based location determination devices 21-24 themselves are installed. Therefore, the floor-based location determination devices 21-24 transmit their respective individual identification information and the distance between themselves and the emergency call device 30 to the emergency call device 30. At the same time, they store the individual identification information of the emergency call device 30 included in the received location determination signal, the direction in which the location determination signal transmitted from the emergency call device 30 was received, and the distance to the emergency call device 30 for a certain period of time.

[0046] Furthermore, the location determination signal may also be received by floor location determination devices installed on other floors not shown in the diagram. In this case, the floor location determination device installed on another floor that receives the location determination signal will not process the signal because the floor information included in the signal is the 2nd floor, which differs from the floor information on which the floor location determination device itself is installed.

[0047] Next, we will explain what happens during an emergency call. The emergency call unit transmits an emergency call signal B, which includes its own individual identification information and floor information, to the floor identification unit and the floor location identification unit upon pressing the emergency push button or detection by a fall detection sensor such as a tilt sensor.

[0048] If the floor location determination device finds that the individual identification information of an emergency call device included in the received emergency call signal B matches the individual identification information of an emergency call device stored for a certain period of time, it displays the direction of reception of the location determination signal transmitted from the emergency call device stored for a certain period of time corresponding to the individual identification information of the matched emergency call device, as well as the distance to the emergency call device. At the same time, it transmits an emergency call signal C to the emergency call signal receiver, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call device that transmitted the received emergency call signal B, the individual identification information of the floor location determination device itself, and the floor level information on which the floor location determination device itself is installed.

[0049] The floor-based location determination device stores the individual identification information of the emergency call device, the direction of reception from the emergency call device, and the distance to the emergency call device for a certain period of time. This allows the device to proceed to the transmission of emergency call signal C even if the location determination signal or emergency call signal B from the emergency call device is not received due to an obstruction such as a person's body. This is achieved by using the location determination signal transmitted before the point of failure or the emergency call signal B transmitted after the point of failure.

[0050] If the floor information contained in the received emergency call signal B matches the floor information on which the floor discriminator itself is installed, the floor discriminator transmits an emergency call signal D to the emergency call signal receiver, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call device contained in emergency call signal B, the individual identification information of the floor discriminator itself, and the floor information on which the floor discriminator itself is installed.

[0051] The emergency call signal receiver is installed in the building's management office or other locations. Upon receiving an emergency call signal C, it sounds an alarm and displays the individual identification information of the emergency call device, the individual identification information of the floor location determination device, and the floor level on which the floor location determination device itself is installed on a display unit such as an LCD or 7-segment LED.

[0052] Furthermore, when the emergency call signal receiver receives the emergency call signal D, it sounds an alarm and displays the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the emergency call signal D, the individual identification information of the hierarchical discrimination device, and the hierarchical information on which the hierarchical discrimination device itself is installed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or a 7-segment LED.

[0053] Emergency call signals B, C, and D use low-frequency radio waves in the 300MHz and 400MHz bands. Unlike the high-frequency gigahertz band, the effects of shielding by people and other objects are reduced through diffraction, preventing radio waves from failing to reach each device and ensuring stable signal transmission and reception.

[0054] In Figure 6, the emergency call signal B transmitted by the emergency call unit 30 is received by the floor discrimination units 10a and 10b and the floor location discrimination units 21 to 26. Since the floor location determination devices 25 and 26 do not store the individual identification information of the emergency call device 30 included in the emergency call signal B, they do not perform any processing on the emergency call signal B.

[0055] Furthermore, emergency call signal B may also be received by floor discrimination devices and floor location discrimination devices installed on other floors not shown in the diagram. In this case, a floor discrimination device installed on another floor that receives emergency call signal B will not process emergency call signal B because the floor information contained in emergency call signal B differs from the floor information on which it is installed. A floor discrimination device installed on another floor that receives emergency call signal B will not process emergency call signal B because it does not store the individual identification information of the emergency call device 30 contained in emergency call signal B.

[0056] Each of the floor location determination units 21-24, upon confirming that the individual identification information of the emergency call unit 30 it has stored matches the individual identification information of the emergency call unit 30 included in the emergency call signal B, displays the direction of reception of the location determination signal transmitted from the stored emergency call unit 30 and the distance to the stored emergency call unit 30. At the same time, it transmits an emergency call signal C to the emergency call signal receiver, which includes the individual identification information 30 of the received emergency call unit, the individual identification information of the floor location determination units 21-24 themselves, and the floor level information on which the floor location determination units 21-24 themselves are installed. H in Figure 6 shows that the above-mentioned display of the reception direction and distance is being performed.

[0057] Upon receiving the emergency call signal C, the emergency call signal receiver sounds an alarm and displays the individual identification information of the emergency call unit 30, the individual identification information of the floor location determination units 21-24, and the floor level information on which the floor location determination units 21-24 are installed, on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or a 7-segment LED.

[0058] An employee at the management office can use the display to go to the second floor where floor location identification devices 21-24 are installed, and by checking the display of the receiving direction and distance, they can estimate the location of the emergency call device.

[0059] Since the floor information contained in the emergency call signal B matches the floor information on which they are installed, the floor discrimination units 10a and 10b each transmit an emergency call signal D to the emergency call signal receiver, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit 30, the individual identification information of the floor discrimination units 10a and 10b themselves, and the floor information on which the floor discrimination units 10a and 10b themselves are installed.

[0060] Upon receiving the emergency call signal D, the emergency call signal receiver sounds an alarm and displays the individual identification information of the emergency call unit 30, the individual identification information of the hierarchical discrimination units 10a and 10b, and the hierarchical information of the hierarchical discrimination units 10a and 10b on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display or a 7-segment LED.

[0061] An emergency from the hierarchical discrimination machine. call By transmitting signal D, if a user of an emergency call device on a floor makes an emergency call before the emergency call device and the floor location identification device exchange location identification signals, the staff at the management office can be notified of the emergency.

[0062] Furthermore, in the event of an emergency call, the emergency call device may limit the devices that transmit the emergency call signal C or emergency call signal D by adding the individual identification information of the nearest floor location determination device or floor determination device to the emergency call signal B.

[0063] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the reception direction display and distance display of the floor position determination device. Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams showing examples of floor position determination devices according to embodiments of the present invention. Figure 7(1) is a perspective view of the floor position determination device 20a, and Figure 7(2) is a bottom view of the floor position determination device 20a. Lights 201 to 208 are light sources and are arranged in a 360-degree horizontal line. When the floor position determination device 20a receives an emergency call signal B and the individual identification information of the emergency call device stored in it matches the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the emergency call signal B, it lights up or flashes one or two light sources from light sources 201 to 208 in the corresponding direction as an indication of the direction in which the position determination signal transmitted from the stored emergency call device was received.

[0064] Furthermore, the brightness, flashing cycle, and color of the light source are changed according to the distance to the stored emergency call device to indicate proximity. For example, a brighter light indicates proximity, a darker light indicates distance; a faster flashing cycle indicates proximity, a slower flashing cycle indicates distance; a red color indicates proximity, and a blue color indicates distance. Alternatively, the brightness and flashing cycle of the light source may be combined, or the flashing cycle and color, the brightness and color, or the brightness, flashing cycle, and color to indicate distance.

[0065] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 8, multiple LEDs may be arranged vertically to form a single light source. Figure 8(1) is a perspective view of the floor position determination device 20b, and Figure 8(2) is a bottom view of the floor position determination device 20b. Lights 211-218 are light sources and are arranged in a 360-degree horizontal line. When the floor position determination device 20b receives an emergency call signal B and the individual identification information of the emergency call device stored in it matches the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the emergency call signal B, it lights up or flashes one or two light sources from light sources 211-218 in the corresponding direction as an indicator of the direction in which the position determination signal transmitted from the stored emergency call device was received.

[0066] By using a light source to indicate the direction of reception, the direction from which the emergency call originated can be visually recognized. When responding to an emergency call, the person can check multiple floor-level location identification devices and connect the directions indicated by the reception direction indicators to determine the location of the emergency call.

[0067] Furthermore, the system indicates the distance by changing the brightness, flashing cycle, color, and the number of lit LEDs within the light source according to the distance to the stored emergency call device. For example, brighter brightness indicates closer distance, darker brightness indicates farther distance; faster flashing cycle indicates closer distance, slow flashing cycle indicates farther distance; red color indicates closer distance, blue color indicates farther distance; fewer lit LEDs indicate farther distance, and more lit LEDs indicate closer distance. Alternatively, the system may combine any and more of the following to indicate distance: brightness, flashing cycle, color, and the number of lit LEDs within the light source.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the floor position determination device determined the distance to the emergency call device based on the RSSI value, but the distance to the emergency call device may also be measured using UWB (Ultra Wide Band) or the like to measure ToA (Time of Arrival) or ToF (Time of Flight).

[0069] Furthermore, the floor discrimination device may be installed as shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the vicinity of the floor discrimination device in another embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic cross-sectional view from the horizontal direction of a three-story building.

[0070] In Figure 9, the receiving areas α1, α2, α3 and the receiving areas β1, β2, β3 are not shown, but similar to Figure 2, the floor discrimination unit 11 is installed on the ceiling of the first floor, the floor discrimination unit 12 is installed on the ceiling of the second floor, and the floor discrimination unit 13 is installed on the ceiling of the third floor. Each of the floor discrimination units 11, 12, and 13 has receiving areas α1, α2, α3 at a predetermined angle in the vertical downward direction, and receiving areas β1, β2, β3 that are adjacent to and outside of the aforementioned receiving areas α1, α2, α3. On the floor surface of the floor in which they are installed, they are installed such that part or all of their own receiving area α and part of their own receiving area β include all of the receiving area α of the floor discrimination unit installed one floor above.

[0071] If an emergency call unit is located in area X in Figure 9, under normal circumstances, the location identification signal transmitted by the emergency call unit is received by floor level discriminators 11 to 13. Floor level discriminator 11 determines that the location identification signal is from outside receiving area α1 and receiving area β1 and does not transmit. Floor level discriminator 12 determines that the location identification signal is from receiving area α2 and transmits signal A2 to the emergency call unit, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit contained in the received location identification signal, receiving area information that it is in receiving area α2, and floor information that floor level discriminator 12 itself is located on the 2nd floor. Floor level discriminator 13 determines that the location identification signal is from receiving area β3 and transmits signal A3 to the emergency call unit, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit contained in the received location identification signal, receiving area information that it is in receiving area β3, and floor information that floor level discriminator 13 itself is located on the 3rd floor.

[0072] In the reception state after the transmission of the location determination signal, the emergency call device receives signals A2 and A3, which contain its own individual identification information. Since the area information contained in signal A2 (corresponding to signal AL in the claims), which is the lowest level of the received signal A where the hierarchical determination device itself is installed, is the receiving area α2, the hierarchical information contained in the received signal A2 (corresponding to signal AL in the claims), which indicates that the hierarchical determination device 12 itself is installed on the 2nd floor, is adopted, and the existence floor information is updated to the 2nd floor.

[0073] If an emergency call unit is located in area Y in Figure 9, under normal circumstances, the location identification signal transmitted by the emergency call unit is received by floor level discriminators 11 to 13. Floor level discriminator 11 determines that the location identification signal is from outside receiving area α1 and receiving area β1 and does not transmit. Floor level discriminator 12 determines that the location identification signal is from receiving area α2 and transmits signal A2 to the emergency call unit, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit contained in the received location identification signal, receiving area information that it is in receiving area α2, and floor information that floor level discriminator 12 itself is located on the 2nd floor. Floor level discriminator 13 determines that the location identification signal is from receiving area α3 and transmits signal A3 to the emergency call unit, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit contained in the received location identification signal, receiving area information that it is in receiving area α3, and floor information that floor level discriminator 13 itself is located on the 3rd floor.

[0074] In the reception state after the transmission of the location determination signal, the emergency call device receives signals A2 and A3, which contain its own individual identification information. Since the area information contained in signal A2 (corresponding to signal AL in the claims), which is the lowest level of the received signal A where the hierarchical determination device itself is installed, is the receiving area α2, the hierarchical information contained in the received signal A2 (corresponding to signal AL in the claims), which indicates that the hierarchical determination device 12 itself is installed on the 2nd floor, is adopted, and the existence floor information is updated to the 2nd floor.

[0075] If an emergency call unit is located in area Z in Figure 9, under normal circumstances, the location identification signal transmitted by the emergency call unit is received by floor level discriminators 11 to 13. Floor level discriminator 11 determines that the location identification signal is from outside receiving area α1 and receiving area β1 and does not transmit. Floor level discriminator 12 determines that the location identification signal is from receiving area β2 and transmits signal A2 to the emergency call unit, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit contained in the received location identification signal, receiving area information that it is in receiving area β2, and floor information that floor level discriminator 12 itself is located on the 2nd floor. Floor level discriminator 13 determines that the location identification signal is from receiving area α3 and transmits signal A3 to the emergency call unit, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit contained in the received location identification signal, receiving area information that it is in receiving area α3, and floor information that floor level discriminator 13 itself is located on the 3rd floor.

[0076] The emergency call device, in the reception state after the transmission of the location determination signal is complete, receives signals A2 and A3, which contain its own individual identification information. Since the area information contained in signal A2 (corresponding to signal AL in the claims), which is the lowest level of the hierarchy information in which the hierarchy determination device itself is installed, is the reception area β2, the device retains the existence hierarchy information without updating it.

[0077] If an emergency call unit is located in area W in Figure 9, under normal circumstances, the location identification signal transmitted by the emergency call unit is received by floor level discriminators 11 to 13. Floor level discriminator 11 determines that the location identification signal is from receiving area α1 and transmits signal A1 to the emergency call unit, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit contained in the received location identification signal, receiving area information that it is in receiving area α1, and floor information that floor level discriminator 11 itself is located on the 1st floor. Floor level discriminator 12 determines that the location identification signal is from receiving area α2 and transmits signal A2 to the emergency call unit, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit contained in the received location identification signal, receiving area information that it is in receiving area α2, and floor information that floor level discriminator 12 itself is located on the 2nd floor. The floor discrimination unit 13 determines that the signal is a location discrimination signal from reception area α3, and transmits signal A3 to the emergency call unit, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call unit contained in the received location discrimination signal, reception area information that it is reception area α3, and floor information that the floor on which the floor discrimination unit 13 itself is installed is the 3rd floor.

[0078] In the reception state after the transmission of the location determination signal is completed, the emergency call device receives signals A1, A2, and A3, which contain its own individual identification information. Since the area information contained in signal A1 (corresponding to signal AL in the claims), which is the lowest level of the received signal A where the hierarchical determination device itself is installed, is the receiving area α1, the hierarchical information contained in the received signal A1 (corresponding to signal AL in the claims), which indicates that the hierarchical determination device 11 itself is installed on the 1st floor, is adopted, and the existence floor information is updated to the 1st floor.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the emergency call device transmits a location determination signal to the floor determination device and the floor location determination device. However, the location determination signal may be divided into two types: a floor location determination signal containing its own individual identification information and a floor location determination signal containing its own individual identification information and floor information. The floor location determination signal may be transmitted separately to the floor determination device, and the floor location determination signal to the floor location determination device, and the above-described transmission and reception of each signal may be performed. In addition, the emergency call device may transmit the floor location determination signal, the floor location determination signal, and the location determination signal continuously at a fixed interval not only during normal operation but also during emergency calls.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the emergency call device is assumed to be in a receiving state for a predetermined time after the completion of transmission of the location determination signal. However, it may also be assumed to be in a receiving state at all times, and to perform processing related to floor information for signals A received between the completion of transmission of the location determination signal and the predetermined time, while not performing processing related to floor information for signals A received at any other time. Similarly, when transmitting the floor location determination signal as described above, the emergency call device may be assumed to be in a receiving state for a predetermined time after the completion of transmission of the floor location determination signal. Alternatively, it may be assumed to be in a receiving state at all times, and to perform processing related to floor information for signals A received between the completion of transmission of the floor location determination signal and the predetermined time, while not performing processing related to floor information for signals A received at any other time.

[0081] Furthermore, the receiving area α of the floor discrimination device can be set as appropriate, whether at the same angle or a different angle on each floor. Similarly, the receiving area β of the floor discrimination device can be set as appropriate, whether at the same angle or a different angle on each floor.

[0082] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment uses BLE radio waves in the 2.4GHz band, UWB may also be used, and the type of wireless communication technology is not limited. Also, the frequency band may be other than the 2.4GHz band.

[0083] Furthermore, for example, if the second floor is not covered by the emergency call system in Figure 2, the floor discrimination unit one level above the floor discrimination unit 11 on the first floor will be floor discrimination unit 13. Therefore, if the floor discrimination unit 13 is installed on the first floor so that the entire receiving area α3 of floor discrimination unit 13 is included within the combined receiving area α1 and receiving area β1 of floor discrimination unit 11, the emergency call system of the present invention can be used without any problems.

[0084] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment uses a three-story building, the system of the present invention can be used in single-story buildings or buildings of any number of stories, and can be used without problems even if there is a basement. In addition, in a single-story building, it is possible to construct an emergency call system using an emergency call device, a floor location determination device, and an emergency call signal receiver without using a floor determination device.

[0085] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these. It can be implemented in various other forms and is included within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1st Floor 2...stairs 3. Elevator 10a,10b,11,12,13...Layer discriminator 20a, 20b, 21~26... Floor position determination device 30...Emergency call machine 201~208,211~218...Light source α1, α2, α3, β1, β2, β3... Reception area H...display W, X, Y, Z... Area

Claims

1. An emergency call system for use inside a building, The emergency call system comprises an emergency call device equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, a floor location determination device equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, and an emergency call signal receiver equipped with a wireless receiver. The aforementioned floor position determination device is installed on the ceiling, one or more units. The emergency call device transmits a floor location determination signal containing its own individual identification information to the floor location determination device at regular intervals. When the floor location determination device receives the floor location determination signal transmitted by the emergency call device, The individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received floor location determination signal and the direction in which the floor location determination signal was received are stored for a certain period of time. During an emergency call, The emergency call device transmits an emergency call signal B containing its own individual identification information to the floor location determination device. The floor location determination device, when the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received emergency call signal B matches the individual identification information of the emergency call device stored for a certain period of time, displays the direction of reception of the floor location determination signal transmitted from the emergency call device that corresponds to the individual identification information of the matched emergency call device, and transmits an emergency call signal C to the emergency call signal receiver, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call device that transmitted the received emergency call signal B and the individual identification information of the floor location determination device itself. The emergency call signal receiver is characterized by displaying the individual identification information of the emergency call device and the individual identification information of the floor location determination device, which are included in the received emergency call signal C. Emergency call system.

2. An emergency call system for use inside a building, The emergency call system comprises an emergency call device equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, a floor determination device equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, a floor location determination device equipped with a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver, and an emergency call signal receiver equipped with a wireless receiver. The aforementioned floor discrimination device is installed on the ceiling of each floor, with one or more units installed, and stores information about the floor on which it is installed. The aforementioned floor location determination device is installed on the ceiling of each floor, with one or more units installed, and the floor information of the floor in which it is installed is stored. The emergency call device transmits a floor location determination signal containing its own individual identification information to the floor determination device at regular intervals, and transmits a floor location determination signal containing its own individual identification information and floor information to the floor location determination device at regular intervals. The aforementioned hierarchical discriminator comprises a receiving area α at a predetermined angle in the vertically downward direction and a receiving area β located adjacent to and outside of the receiving area α. On the floor surface of the floor where it is installed, the entire receiving area α of the floor discrimination device installed one floor above is included within the combined range of the receiving area α and the receiving area β. When the emergency call device receives the hierarchical location determination signal transmitted from the receiving area α or the receiving area β, the device transmits a signal A to the emergency call device that includes the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received hierarchical location determination signal, the received area information, and the hierarchical information on which the hierarchical determination device itself is installed. If the emergency call device receives one or more signals A transmitted by the hierarchical discriminator, which include its own individual identification information, within a predetermined time period after the completion of transmission of the hierarchical position discrimination signal, When the area information included in signal AL, which contains the lowest level of the hierarchy information where the hierarchy discriminator itself is installed within the received signal A, is the received area α, the existence floor information is updated to state that the hierarchy information where the hierarchy discriminator itself is installed within signal AL is the floor on which it exists. When the area information included in the received signal A, which is the lowest level of the hierarchy information where the hierarchy discriminator itself is installed, is the received area β, the existence hierarchy information is not updated and is retained. When the floor location determination device receives the floor location determination signal transmitted by the emergency call device, If the floor information included in the floor location determination signal matches the floor information on which the floor location determination device itself is installed, the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received floor location determination signal and the direction in which the floor location determination signal was received are stored for a certain period of time. During an emergency call, The emergency call device transmits an emergency call signal B, which includes its own individual identification information and the floor information it is located on, to the floor location determination device. The floor location determination device, when the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received emergency call signal B matches the individual identification information of the emergency call device stored for a certain period of time, displays the direction of reception of the floor location determination signal transmitted from the emergency call device that corresponds to the individual identification information of the matched emergency call device, and transmits an emergency call signal C to the emergency call signal receiver, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call device that transmitted the received emergency call signal B and the individual identification information of the floor location determination device itself. The emergency call signal receiver is characterized by displaying the individual identification information of the emergency call device and the individual identification information of the floor location determination device, which are included in the received emergency call signal C. Emergency call system.

3. In the emergency call system described in claim 2, During an emergency call, The emergency call device transmits an emergency call signal B, which includes its own individual identification information and the floor information it is located on, to the floor discrimination device. If the floor information contained in the received emergency call signal B matches the floor information on which the floor discriminator itself is installed, the floor discriminator transmits an emergency call signal D to the emergency call signal receiver, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call device contained in the received emergency call signal B and the individual identification information of the floor discriminator itself. The emergency call signal receiver is characterized by displaying the individual identification information of the emergency call device and the individual identification information of the hierarchical discriminator included in the received emergency call signal D. Emergency call system.

4. In the emergency call system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The signal used for emergency calls is a radio wave with a frequency of less than 1 GHz. Signals other than those used for emergency calls are characterized by being radio waves with a frequency of 1 GHz or higher. Emergency call system.

5. In the emergency call system according to claim 4, The aforementioned floor position determination device is characterized by having multiple light sources arranged in a 360-degree horizontal line, and by illuminating or flashing the light source corresponding to the direction of radio wave reception to indicate the direction of reception. Emergency call system.

6. In the emergency call system according to claim 1, When the floor location determination device receives the floor location determination signal transmitted by the emergency call device, The distance to the received emergency call device is stored for a certain period of time. During an emergency call, The floor location determination device is characterized in that, when the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received emergency call signal B matches the individual identification information of the emergency call device stored for a certain period of time, it displays the distance to the emergency call device that corresponds to the individual identification information of the matching emergency call device and has been stored for a certain period of time. Emergency call system.

7. In the emergency call system according to claim 6, The aforementioned floor position determination device is characterized by having multiple light sources arranged in a 360-degree horizontal line, and by illuminating or flashing the light source corresponding to the direction of radio wave reception to indicate the direction of reception. Emergency call system.

8. In the emergency call system according to claim 7, During an emergency call, The floor position determination device is characterized by displaying the distance to the emergency call device based on the difference in the flashing cycle of the light source, or the brightness or darkness, or both. Emergency call system.

9. In the emergency call system described in claim 2, When the floor location determination device receives the floor location determination signal transmitted by the emergency call device, If the floor information included in the floor location determination signal matches the floor information on which the floor location determination device itself is installed, the distance to the received emergency call device is stored for a certain period of time. During an emergency call, The floor location determination device is characterized in that, when the individual identification information of the emergency call device included in the received emergency call signal B matches the individual identification information of the emergency call device stored for a certain period of time, it displays the distance to the emergency call device that corresponds to the individual identification information of the matching emergency call device and has been stored for a certain period of time. Emergency call system.

10. In the emergency call system according to claim 9, During an emergency call, The emergency call device transmits an emergency call signal B, which includes its own individual identification information and the floor information it is located on, to the floor discrimination device. If the floor information contained in the received emergency call signal B matches the floor information on which the floor discrimination device itself is installed, the floor discrimination device transmits an emergency call signal D to the emergency call signal receiver, which includes the individual identification information of the emergency call device contained in the received emergency call signal B and the individual identification information of the floor discrimination device itself. The emergency call signal receiver is characterized by displaying the individual identification information of the emergency call device and the individual identification information of the hierarchical discriminator included in the received emergency call signal D. Emergency call system.

11. In the emergency call system according to claim 9 or 10, The signal used for emergency calls is a radio wave with a frequency of less than 1 GHz. Signals other than those used for emergency calls are characterized by being radio waves with a frequency of 1 GHz or higher. Emergency call system.

12. In the emergency call system according to claim 11, The aforementioned floor position determination device is characterized by having multiple light sources arranged in a 360-degree horizontal line, and by illuminating or flashing the light source corresponding to the direction of radio wave reception to indicate the direction of reception. Emergency call system.

13. In the emergency call system according to claim 12, During an emergency call, The floor position determination device is characterized by displaying the distance to the emergency call device based on the difference in the flashing cycle of the light source, or the brightness or darkness, or both. Emergency call system.

14. In the emergency call system according to claim 13, The floor location determination device is characterized by determining the distance to the emergency call device based on the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) value of the received floor location determination signal. Emergency call system.

15. In the emergency call system according to claim 13, The floor location determination device is characterized by measuring the distance to the emergency call device by Time of Arrival (ToA). Emergency call system.

Images