Judgment system, judgment method, judgment device and judgment program

Abstract

This invention provides a system, device, method, and program for determining whether a person has begun to stand up. The detection device detects fluctuations generated by the person and outputs an electrical signal based on the detected fluctuations. The determination device 2 determines, based on the signal value of the electrical signal detected by the detection device, whether the time for which the state is above or below a predetermined upper or lower limit benchmark value exceeds a predetermined time benchmark value, constituting a state determination condition. When the determination device 2 determines that the state determination condition is met, it determines that the person has begun to stand up from a lying position to a sitting position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a system, method, device, and program for determining the state of an object. Prior Technology

[0002] In facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and care facilities, nurses and caregivers are responsible for making rounds to confirm whether patients or other individuals requiring care are in bed or have left their beds. To support these rounds, for example, the applicant has proposed a bio-detection system that uses a piezoelectric pad placed on the bed to detect the presence of individuals requiring care (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Previous Technical Documents] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-154926 Summary of the Invention

[0004] [The problem that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Patent document 1 proposes an excellent biological detection system, but in order to further improve the quality of nursing and care, it is required to determine the state of the person requiring care.

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its main purpose is to provide a system for determining the state of an object.

[0007] Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a determination method using the determination system of the present invention.

[0008] Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a determination device used in the determination system of the present invention.

[0009] Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a determination program for implementing the determination device of the present invention. [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0010] To address the aforementioned issues, the judgment system revealed in this case is characterized by having: Detection Department: Detects fluctuations generated by the target and outputs electrical signals based on the detected fluctuations; and Judgment Unit: When the signal value of the electrical signal output by the above detection unit exceeds the specified time reference value for a period of time that meets the specified upper limit reference value or lower limit reference value, it is determined that the object has started to get up.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned determination system, the characteristic is that: when the determination unit determines that the subject's body posture has changed from a lying position to a sitting position and meets the above-mentioned state determination conditions, the determination unit determines that the subject has begun to change from a lying position to a sitting position and is getting up.

[0012] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned determination system, the characteristic is that: the above-mentioned signal value is the value of the signal waveform that maintains the waveform shape of the electrical signal output by the above-mentioned detection unit.

[0013] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned determination system, the characteristic is that the above-mentioned signal value is the electrical signal output from the above-mentioned detection unit after removing the AC hum value.

[0014] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned determination system, the characteristic is that the above-mentioned signal value is the value of the signal waveform obtained by passing through a frequency band of 4 Hz or less from the electrical signal output from the above-mentioned detection unit.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned determination system, the signal value is a moving average value obtained based on the electrical signal output by the detection unit over a period of less than 5 seconds.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned determination system, the characteristic is that: the electrical signal output by the detection unit is an analog electrical signal, and the signal value is the value of a digital electrical signal converted from the analog electrical signal.

[0017] Furthermore, in the above-described determination system, the characteristic is that the detection unit includes a piezoelectric sensor formed in the shape of a sheet.

[0018] Furthermore, the characteristic of the determination method disclosed in this case is that: the detection unit detects the fluctuations generated by the object and outputs an electrical signal based on the detected fluctuations; the signal value of the electrical signal output by the detection unit is used to determine whether the state condition of the time exceeding the prescribed upper limit reference value or the lower limit reference value exceeds the prescribed time reference value.

[0019] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned determination method, the characteristic is that when the subject's body posture is determined to be in a lying position and the above-mentioned state determination conditions are met, it is determined that the subject has begun to change from a lying position to a sitting position and is getting up.

[0020] Furthermore, in the above determination method, the characteristic is that: the above signal value is the value of the signal waveform that maintains the waveform shape of the electrical signal output by the above detection unit.

[0021] Furthermore, in the above determination method, the characteristic is that the above signal value is the electrical signal output from the above detection unit after removing the AC hum value.

[0022] Furthermore, in the above determination method, the characteristic is that the above signal value is the value of the signal waveform obtained by passing through a frequency band of 4 Hz or less from the electrical signal output from the above detection unit.

[0023] Furthermore, in the above determination method, the characteristic is that the above signal value is a moving average value obtained based on the electrical signal output by the above detection unit over a period of less than 5 seconds.

[0024] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned determination method, the characteristic is that: the electrical signal output by the detection unit is an analog electrical signal, and the signal value is the value of a digital electrical signal converted from the analog electrical signal.

[0025] Furthermore, in the above-described determination method, the characteristic is that the detection unit includes a piezoelectric sensor formed in the shape of a sheet.

[0026] Furthermore, the determination device disclosed in this case possesses: Input section: accepts electrical signal input based on fluctuation detection, where the fluctuation is generated based on the object; and Judgment Unit: Determines whether the signal value of the electrical signal received by the above-mentioned input unit meets the state judgment condition that the time of the state exceeding the upper limit reference value or the lower limit reference value exceeds the specified time reference value.

[0027] Furthermore, in the aforementioned determination device, the determination unit determines that the subject has begun to change from a lying position to a sitting position and has started to get up when the subject's body posture has changed from a lying position to a sitting position.

[0028] Furthermore, in the aforementioned determination device, the signal value is characterized by maintaining the waveform shape of the electrical signal received by the input unit.

[0029] Furthermore, in the aforementioned determination device, the signal value is determined by removing the AC hum from the electrical signal received by the input unit.

[0030] Furthermore, in the aforementioned determination device, the signal value is characterized by being the value of a signal waveform obtained by passing through a frequency band of 4 Hz or less from the electrical signal received by the input unit.

[0031] Furthermore, in the aforementioned determination device, the signal value is characterized by being a moving average value obtained over a period of 5 seconds or less based on the electrical signal received by the input unit.

[0032] Furthermore, in the aforementioned determination device, the characteristic is that the electrical signal received by the input unit is an analog electrical signal, and the signal value is the value of a digital electrical signal converted from the analog electrical signal.

[0033] Furthermore, the determination program disclosed in this case enables the computer to determine the state of the object and to perform the following steps: Accepts input signal values ​​based on fluctuations, which are generated based on the object; and Judgment steps: For the received input signal value, determine whether it meets the state judgment condition that the time of the state above the upper limit reference value or below the lower limit reference value exceeds the specified time reference value.

[0034] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned determination procedure, the characteristic is that: the above-mentioned determination step is determined when the subject's body posture, starting from the determined lying position, meets the above-mentioned state determination conditions, and the subject has begun the action of getting up from the lying position to the sitting position.

[0035] Furthermore, in the above determination procedure, the characteristic is that: the above signal value is the value of the signal waveform that maintains the waveform shape of the electrical signal received in the above input step.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above determination procedure, the characteristic is that the above signal value is the value of the electrical signal received in the above input step after removing the AC hum value.

[0037] Furthermore, in the above determination procedure, the characteristic is that the above signal value is the value of the signal waveform obtained by passing through the frequency band below 4 Hz from the electrical signal received in the above input step.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above determination procedure, the characteristic is that the above signal value is a moving average value obtained based on the electrical signal received in the above input step within a period of less than 5 seconds.

[0039] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned determination procedure, the characteristic is that: in the above-mentioned input step, the received electrical signal is an analog electrical signal, and the signal value is the value of a digital electrical signal converted from the above-mentioned analog electrical signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0040] The determination system, determination method, determination device, and determination program of this invention have excellent effects such as being able to determine the state of the object. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0041] [Figure 1] is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the composition of the judgment system disclosed in this case; [Figure 2] is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the detection devices and other equipment included in the determination system disclosed in this case; [Figure 3A] is a schematic diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a piezoelectric sensor used in the detection section of the detection device of the judgment system disclosed in this case; [Figure 3B] is a schematic diagram conceptually illustrating an example of a piezoelectric sensor used in the detection section of the detection device of the judgment system disclosed in this case; [Figure 4] is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the determination device and communication device, etc., of the determination system disclosed in this case; [Figure 5] is a flowchart illustrating one example of the detection processing of the detection device in the judgment system disclosed in this case; [Figure 6] is a flowchart illustrating an example of the signal processing of the determination device in the determination system disclosed in this case; [Figure 7] is a flowchart illustrating one example of the judgment processing of the judgment device in the judgment system disclosed in this case; [Figure 8] is a diagram showing an example of the waveform of a digital electrical signal input to the determination unit of the determination device of the determination system disclosed in this case; [Figure 9] is a diagram showing an example of the waveform of a digital electrical signal input to the determination unit of the determination device of the determination system disclosed in this case; [Figure 10] is a diagram showing an example of the waveform of a digital electrical signal input to the determination unit of the determination device of the determination system disclosed in this case; [Figure 11] is a diagram showing an example of the waveform of a digital electrical signal input to the determination unit of the determination device of the determination system disclosed in this case; [Figure 12] is a diagram showing an example of the waveform of a digital electrical signal input to the determination unit of the determination device of the determination system disclosed in this case; [Figure 13] is a diagram showing an example of the waveform of a digital electrical signal input to the determination unit of the determination device of the determination system disclosed in this case; [Figure 14] is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the composition of the judgment system disclosed in this case; [Figure 15] is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the composition of the judgment system disclosed in this case; [Figure 16] is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the determination device and other devices included in the determination system disclosed in this case; [Figure 17] is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the determination device and other devices included in the determination system disclosed in this case; [Figure 18] is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the determination device and other devices in the determination system disclosed in this case. Implementation

[0042] <Application Example> The determination system disclosed in this case is a system that uses various devices such as detection devices and determination devices, and is used to detect the state of a subject, such as breathing state, heart rate state, and posture state. Posture state can be exemplified by, for example, lying down and sitting. In this case, the form used to detect the initial activity when transitioning from a lying to a sitting position, i.e., the state of getting up, will be described. Hereinafter, specific examples of the detection device 1, determination device 2, and other devices illustrated in the figures will be described one by one. Furthermore, the following embodiments are examples of implementing the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0043] <Judgment System> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the composition of the judgment system disclosed in this case. The judgment system disclosed in this case is installed in facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, and care facilities. The facilities are equipped with wards, care rooms, and other rooms for patients requiring monitoring, residents, and other care recipients (objects of care), and each room is equipped with a bed 3 for use by those requiring care. Furthermore, the facilities are equipped with a nursing station waiting area where medical personnel, such as nurses, caregivers, and doctors, are on standby to provide nursing care and other assistance to those requiring care.

[0044] The bed 3 used by the caregiver has a bed board 30, on which a mattress 31 is placed, and sheets or other bedding can be placed on the mattress 31 as needed. A detection device 1 is installed on the bed 3. The detection device 1 has a detection section 10 using a sheet piezoelectric sensor 10a (see Figure 2, etc.). The detection device 1 can detect vibrations in multiple frequency domains originating from the caregiver. Therefore, the signal output from the detection device 1 is a signal of multiple overlapping vibrations with various frequency characteristics. In one example, the detection device 1 can acquire at least one of the following: internal sound signals with a frequency of 20 Hz or higher, heartbeat signals with a frequency of less than 20 Hz, respiratory vibration signals, body movement signals, and snoring signals with a frequency of 20 Hz or higher. Furthermore, internal sound signals with a frequency of 20 Hz or higher and snoring signals with a frequency of 20 Hz or higher can be distinguished based on frequency components (spectrum). The detection unit 10 of the detection device 1 is, for example, placed under the mattress 31, sheet, or other bedding of the bed 3 used by the person requiring care. That is, the detection unit 10 performs detection related to the person through the mattress 31, sheet, or other bedding. Figure 1 illustrates the following configuration: the detection unit 10 is placed on the bed board 30 of the bed 3, and the mattress 31 is placed on it. Alternatively, the detection unit 10 can be placed on the sheet, making direct contact with the person requiring care.

[0045] A judgment device 2 is connected to the detection device 1, and the electrical signal output from the detection device 1 is input to the judgment device 2 via a communication line. Furthermore, the detection device 1 and the judgment device 2 can also communicate wirelessly based on wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0046] As a device capable of communicating with the determination device 2, various communication devices 4 are used, including nurse call receivers held by nurses, monitors equipped at nursing stations, mobile phones held by external personnel, smartphones, tablet terminals, etc. The determination device 2 and the communication device 4 are connected communicatively via a communication network NW, such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a wired LAN, a WAN (Wide Area Network), or a dedicated communication line. The determination device 2 sends various information, such as notification information, obtained through the determination process described below, to the communication device 4 via the communication network NW. The transmission of various information from the determination device 2 to the communication device 4 can be a push type, which sends information in a roughly real-time manner, or a pull type, which stores information on a data server on the communication network NW and retrieves the stored information from the communication device 4 as needed. Furthermore, it can be expanded to include various forms such as push and pull types. Regarding the notification information and other information described in this case, since rapid reporting is required, push notification is used.

[0047] <Composition of Various Devices> Next, the hardware configuration of the various devices included in the determination system disclosed in this case will be explained. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the detection device 1 and other devices included in the determination system disclosed in this case. In addition to the detection unit 10 with a sensor, the detection device 1 also includes an amplitude amplifier 11, a pre-processing LPF (Low Pass Filter) 12, an output unit 13, and other components. Furthermore, in this case, as an example of the sensor included in the detection unit 10, a sheet piezoelectric sensor 10a will be used for explanation.

[0048] The detection unit 10 has the following function: it detects fluctuations such as sound and vibration using a piezoelectric sensor 10a, and converts the detected fluctuations into analog electrical signals before outputting them to the amplitude amplifier 11. Figures 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the piezoelectric sensor 10a used in the detection unit 10 of the detection device 1 of the judgment system disclosed in this invention. Figures 3A and 3B schematically show cross-sections of the piezoelectric sensor 10a; Figure 3A shows the unpressed state, and Figure 3B shows the pressurized state. The piezoelectric sensor 10a is formed into a sheet using electret foam, which is made of a polyolefin material with an ultra-dense foamed structure. When the piezoelectric sensor 10a is pressurized, it changes from the state shown in Figure 3A to the state shown in Figure 3B, and the internal bubbles deform to generate a potential difference. The generated potential difference is output to the amplitude amplifier 11 in the form of an analog electrical signal. As an electret sheet used in this piezoelectric sensor 10a, for example, the electret sheet described in the applicant's Japanese Patent No. 5926860 can be used.

[0049] Returning to the block diagram in Figure 2, the amplitude amplifier 11 is, for example, a signal amplifier that amplifies the voltage of an electrical signal. The amplitude amplifier 11 amplifies the amplitude of the fluctuating voltage received in the form of an analog electrical signal and outputs it to the preprocessor LPF 12. The preprocessor LPF 12 removes high-frequency noise such as AC hum from the amplified fluctuating signal and outputs it to the output unit 13. From the viewpoint of maintaining the waveform shape of the electrical signal output by the detection unit 10, the preprocessor LPF 12 preferably removes analog electrical signals in the frequency band above 5 Hz. Furthermore, the preprocessor LPF 12 is more preferably one that removes analog electrical signals in the frequency band above 10 Hz while allowing analog electrical signals in the frequency band below 10 Hz to pass through.

[0050] The output unit 13 outputs the analog electrical signal obtained by preprocessing LPF12 to the determination device 2.

[0051] The amplitude amplifier 11 and the preprocessing circuit LPF 12 are circuits that preprocess the input electrical signal to make it a signal that the determination device 2 can process. After amplitude amplification and high-frequency noise removal, the waveform shape of the electrical signal is essentially maintained. That is, the detection device 1 outputs the electrical signal of the so-called original data state detected by the detection unit 10 to the determination device 2.

[0052] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the determination device 2 and communication device 4 included in the determination system disclosed in this case. The determination device 2 is configured, for example, by incorporating various circuits and a microcomputer. The determination device 2 includes various components such as an input unit 20, a signal processing unit 21, and a determination unit 22.

[0053] The input unit 20 is an input unit that receives analog electrical signals output from the self-detection device 1.

[0054] The signal processing unit 21 is a unit that processes the received electrical signals or outputs the received electrical signals to the determination unit 22 in an unprocessed state. The signal processing unit 21 includes an A / D converter 210 that converts the analog electrical signals received by the input unit 20 into digital electrical signals, and multiple routers that process the converted digital electrical signals. In the A / D converter 210, the analog electrical signals are sampled at a sampling period of, for example, 100 Hz and converted into digital signals.

[0055] The first router 21a is a router that processes signals for detecting the heartbeat signal of a target, and includes a detector circuit 21a1, an HPF (High Pass Filter) circuit 21a2, and a first LPF circuit 21a3. The HPF circuit 21a2 is, for example, a circuit that removes electrical signals in the frequency band below 0.01 Hz, and more preferably, a circuit that removes electrical signals in the frequency band below 0.6 Hz. When removing electrical signals in the frequency band below 0.01 Hz, the HPF circuit 21a2 allows electrical signals in the frequency band above 0.01 Hz to pass through; when removing electrical signals in the frequency band below 0.6 Hz, it allows electrical signals in the frequency band below 0.6 Hz to pass through. The first LPF circuit 21a3 is, for example, a circuit that removes electrical signals in the frequency band above 4.0 Hz, and more preferably, a circuit that removes electrical signals in the frequency band above 2.2 Hz. When the first LPF circuit 21a3 removes electrical signals in the frequency band above 4.0 Hz, it allows electrical signals in the frequency band below 4.0 Hz to pass through; when it removes electrical signals in the frequency band above 2.2 Hz, it allows electrical signals in the frequency band below 2.2 Hz to pass through. The electrical signals after passing through the first router 21a are output to the determination unit 22.

[0056] The second router 21b is a router that processes signals used to detect whether a person's standing action is in progress or has been completed. It includes circuits such as the second LPF circuit 21b1 and the detection circuit 21b2. The second LPF circuit 21b1 is, for example, a circuit that removes electrical signals in frequency bands higher than 10 Hz, and more preferably, a circuit that removes electrical signals in frequency bands higher than 1 Hz. When removing electrical signals in frequency bands higher than 10 Hz, the second LPF circuit 21b1 allows electrical signals in frequency bands below 10 Hz to pass through; when removing electrical signals in frequency bands higher than 1 Hz, it allows electrical signals in frequency bands below 1 Hz to pass through. The electrical signal after passing through the second router 21b is output to the determination unit 22.

[0057] The third router 21c is a router that processes the respiratory signals of a target, and includes circuits such as the third LPF circuit 21c1. The third LPF circuit 21c1 is, for example, a circuit that removes electrical signals in the frequency band above 2.0 Hz, and more preferably, a circuit that removes electrical signals in the frequency band above 0.5 Hz. When removing electrical signals in the frequency band above 2.0 Hz, the third LPF circuit 21c1 allows electrical signals in the frequency band below 2.0 Hz to pass through; when removing electrical signals in the frequency band above 0.5 Hz, it allows electrical signals in the frequency band below 0.5 Hz to pass through. The electrical signal after passing through the third router 21c is output to the determination unit 22.

[0058] The fourth router 21d is a router that processes signals to detect when a person's posture has begun to change from a lying to a sitting position. It outputs the received electrical signals to the determination unit 22 without further processing. The electrical signals transmitted through the fourth router 21d maintain the waveform shape of the digital electrical signals converted by the A / D converter 210. Furthermore, the various circuits included in the signal processing unit 21 can be configured in various forms, such as hardware, software, or a hybrid of hardware and software.

[0059] The determination unit 22 is, for example, a microcomputer equipped with a semiconductor chip such as VLSI (Very Large-Scale Integrated Circuit), and includes a control unit 220, a recording unit 221, an output unit 222, and a communication unit 223.

[0060] The control unit 220 is equipped with various circuits such as information processing circuits, timing circuits, and temporary storage circuits, and is a processor that performs overall control processing.

[0061] The recording unit 221 is a circuit constructed using non-volatile memory and volatile memory, recording various programs, reference values, and other data. Examples of programs recorded in the recording unit 221 include decision program 221a, used for decision processing. Examples of reference values ​​recorded in the recording unit 221 include upper limit reference values, lower limit reference values, time reference values, and other reference values ​​used in decision processing.

[0062] By executing the various steps contained in the determination program 221a recorded in the recording unit 221 by the control unit 220, the determination device 2 performs the following function: determining the state of the object based on the fluctuating digital electrical signal detected by the detection unit 10.

[0063] The output section 222 series is used for output units such as LCD displays and speakers.

[0064] The communication unit 223 is a communication unit containing various components such as an antenna, LAN adapter, and control circuit, used to conduct wireless or wired communication with the communication device 4 via the communication network NW.

[0065] The communication device 4 is composed of a communication unit 40 that communicates with the determination device 2 via the communication network NW, and an output unit 41 that performs various outputs. The outputs of the output unit 41 refer to light output, image display, sound output, sound, vibration, and other processing.

[0066] <Processing of Various Devices> Next, the processing of various devices in the judgment system disclosed in this case will be explained. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the detection processing of the detection device 1 in the judgment system disclosed in this case. The detection unit 10 of the detection device 1 uses a piezoelectric sensor 10a to detect vibrations and other fluctuations related to the object (S101), and converts the detected fluctuations into analog electrical signals. The detection device 1 amplifies the amplitude of the analog electrical signal by an amplitude amplifier 11 (S102), and removes high-frequency noise by a preprocessing LPF 12 (S103). The detection device 1 outputs the analog electrical signal to the judgment device 2 by an output unit 13 (S104).

[0067] The detection device 1 performs the detection process in the manner described above.

[0068] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the signal processing of the determination device 2 in the determination system disclosed in this case. The determination device 2 receives an analog electrical signal input from the detection device 1 via the input unit 20 (S201). The signal processing unit 21 of the determination device 2 converts the analog electrical signal into a digital electrical signal using the A / D conversion unit 210 (S202). Furthermore, the signal processing unit 21 performs signal processing on the digital electrical signal, or outputs it to the determination unit 22 without processing (S203). In step S203, the signal processing unit 21 performs signal processing on the digital electrical signals passing through the first router 21a to the third router 21c, extracting signals from a specific frequency band. For the digital electrical signals passing through the fourth router 21d, it outputs them to the determination unit 22 as unprocessed data to maintain the signal waveform.

[0069] The detection device 1 performs signal processing in the manner described above.

[0070] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the determination processing of the determination device 2 in the determination system disclosed in this case. The determination unit 22 of the determination device 2 performs processing to determine the heartbeat state of the subject based on the digital electrical signal transmitted through the first router 21a. Furthermore, the determination unit 22 performs the following processing: based on the digital electrical signal transmitted through the second router 21b, it determines the state of the signal used to detect whether the subject's rising action is in progress or has been completed. Furthermore, the determination unit 22 performs processing to determine the breathing state of the subject based on the digital electrical signal transmitted through the third router 21c. Furthermore, the determination unit 22 performs the following processing: based on the digital electrical signal transmitted through the fourth router 21d, which maintains the waveform shape of the electrical signal output by the detection unit 10, it determines whether the subject has begun the rising action of changing from a lying to a sitting position. Then, the determination unit 22 performs the following processing: it combines the digital signals from the first router 21a, the second router 21b, and the third router 21c to determine the subject's posture state, such as lying down or sitting. Figure 7 will be used to explain the determination process for whether the action of getting up from a lying down position to a sitting position has begun.

[0071] The control unit 220 of the determination unit 22 of the determination device 2 performs determination processing by executing the determination program 221a recorded by the recording unit 221. The control unit 220 calculates a moving average (S301) for the signal value of the digital signal received through the fourth router 21d. In step S301, the moving average is calculated, for example, within a period of 5 seconds or less. Furthermore, since the determination of the start of the standing action requires speed, it is not advisable to extend the period for which the moving average is applied. Also, for determination processing that emphasizes speed, the calculation of the moving average in step S301 can be omitted, and the processing after step S302 shown below can be performed. That is, the processing in step S301 is performed when the speed requirement is low. The higher the speed requirement, the shorter the period for which the moving average is applied should be. When speed is emphasized, it is better to use the signal value of the digital signal calculated by omitting the moving average.

[0072] The control unit 220 determines whether the subject is in a supine position, i.e., lying on the bed 3 (S302). The determination of whether the subject is in a supine position is itself performed based on digital electrical signals transmitted through other routers such as the first router 21a. In step S302, for example, the method for determining supine position described in International Publication No. 2021 / 112131 filed by the applicant can be used.

[0073] When the situation is determined to be a supine position in step S302 (S302: Yes), the control unit 220 determines whether the signal value of the digital signal is above or below the upper limit reference value or lower limit reference value recorded by the recording unit 221 (S303). The upper limit reference value and the lower limit reference value are recorded in advance in the recording unit 221 as state determination conditions.

[0074] In step S303, when it is determined that the signal value is above or below the specified upper limit reference value (S303: Yes), the control unit 220 determines whether the duration of the state of being above or below the upper limit reference value exceeds the time reference value recorded by the recording unit 221 (S304). In step S304, since the signal value may change instantaneously due to factors such as noise, it can be set so that even when the state changes from "a state above or below the specified upper limit reference value" to "a state that is temporarily below the upper limit reference value and above the lower limit reference value", if the state is below the specified instantaneous reference value, the control unit 220 also determines that the state of being above or below the upper limit reference value continues. Alternatively, when switching instantaneously from a state above the upper limit reference value to a state below the lower limit value, the control unit 220 can also determine whether the state above the upper limit reference value or below the lower limit reference value continues based on the instantaneous reference value when a signal value is detected during the switching process.

[0075] The upper and lower limit reference values ​​that become the determination criteria in step S303, and the time and instantaneous reference values ​​that become the determination criteria in step S304, are recorded in advance as state determination conditions in the recording unit 221.

[0076] In step S304, when the time during which the signal value remains above the upper limit reference value or below the lower limit value exceeds the time reference value recorded by the recording unit 221 (S304: Yes), the control unit 220 determines that the state determination condition is met, and the state of the object is that it has begun to change from a lying position to a sitting position and is getting up (S305).

[0077] If the state determination condition is met, and the object's state is that it has begun the action of changing from a lying to a sitting position, the control unit 220 will perform a notification process to report the start of the action of getting up (S306). The notification process in step S306 includes processing such as outputting the notification information of the start of the action of getting up from the output unit 222 and sending it from the communication unit 223 to the communication device 4 via the communication network NW. Furthermore, in step S306, recording processing may also be performed together with or instead of the notification processing. This recording processing involves recording, for example, that the state determination condition has been met in the recording unit 221.

[0078] In step S302, if it is determined that the person is not in a lying position (S302: No), in step S303, if it is determined that the signal value is lower than the upper limit reference value and exceeds the lower limit reference value (S303: No), or in step S304, if it is determined that the duration does not exceed the time reference value (S304: No), the control unit 220 determines that the state determination condition is not met, and the state of the subject is not the state of having started the action of getting up from a lying position to a sitting position (S307).

[0079] If the control unit 220 determines that the state determination condition is not met, and the state of the object is not the state of starting the action of changing from a lying position to a sitting position, it will then obtain the signal value of the digital signal that has become the determination object, return to step S301, and repeat the subsequent processing.

[0080] The determination process of determination device 2 is performed in the manner described above. Furthermore, although the determination process of determination device 2 as illustrated in FIG7 is performed on digital electrical signals that are raw data passing through the fourth router 21d, it can also be performed on digital electrical signals passing through the first router 21a to the third router 21c. That is, the determination process of determination device 2 can also be performed on electrical signals passing through circuits such as the first LPF circuit 21a3, the second LPF circuit 21b1, and the third LPF circuit 21c1.

[0081] When the communication device 4 receives notification information sent from the judgment device 2 via the communication network NW in the communication unit 40, the communication device 4 outputs the received notification information from the output unit 41. The output of the notification information is performed through various communication devices 4, such as nurse call receivers, monitors installed in the nursing station, and mobile phones held by external personnel, using methods such as light output, image display, sound output, ringing, and vibration. After confirming the notification information output from the communication device 4, nurses, caregivers, doctors, family members, and other relevant personnel can take appropriate measures based on the recipient's condition.

[0082] <Example> Next, an embodiment of the determination system disclosed in this case will be described. Figure 8 is a graph showing an example of the waveform of the digital electrical signal input to the determination unit 22 of the determination device 2 of the determination system disclosed in this case. In Figure 8, time is used as the horizontal axis and the signal value of the digital electrical signal is used as the vertical axis, showing the change in the signal value of the digital electrical signal passing through the fourth router 21d over time. In the figure, P1 represents the period when the subject is in an out-of-bed state, P2 represents the period when the subject is performing a stepping-in-bed action, P3 represents the period when the subject is in a supine position, P4 represents the period when the subject is performing a stepping-up action from a supine position to a sitting position, and P5 represents the period when the subject is in a sitting position. Furthermore, the single-dot chain line in the figure represents the upper limit reference value (denoted as UL in the figure) and the lower limit reference value (denoted as LL in the figure).

[0083] As illustrated in Figure 8, the digital signal value remains stable within the upper and lower reference values ​​during the period P3 when the subject is in a supine position after getting into bed. However, during the period P4 when the subject attempts to get up, the signal value fluctuates significantly, exceeding the range of the upper and lower reference values. Therefore, by appropriately setting the upper and lower reference values ​​and the time reference value, it is possible to detect when the action of getting up has begun.

[0084] Figure 9 is a waveform diagram showing an example of the digital electrical signal input to the determination unit 22 of the determination device 2 of the determination system disclosed in this case. Figure 9 shows the configuration after changing the settings of the upper and lower reference values ​​illustrated in Figure 8 by lowering the upper reference value and raising the lower reference value. By changing the settings as shown in Figure 9, compared with the configuration illustrated in Figure 8, the initial activity of getting up can be determined more quickly. As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, it is preferable that the upper and lower reference values ​​be appropriately changed according to the installation environment, such as the situation during implementation and the state of the object.

[0085] Figure 10 is a graph showing an example of the waveform of a digital electrical signal input to the determination unit 22 of the determination device 2 of the determination system disclosed in this case. In Figure 10, time is used as the horizontal axis and the signal value of the digital electrical signal is used as the vertical axis to show the change of the signal value over time. In Figure 10, for comparison, the waveform of the original digital electrical signal (represented by the solid line) is superimposed with the waveform of the digital electrical signal passing through the LPF (represented by the dashed line), which removes signal values ​​in the frequency band above 1 Hz. Compared with the original digital electrical signal, the waveform of the 1 Hz digital electrical signal passing through the LPF produces the peak of the signal value increase later, and the time to exceed the upper and lower reference values ​​is shorter.

[0086] Figure 11 is a graph showing an example of the waveform of a digital electrical signal input to the determination unit 22 of the determination device 2 of the determination system disclosed in this case. In Figure 11, time is used as the horizontal axis and the signal value of the digital electrical signal is used as the vertical axis to show the change of the signal value over time. In Figure 11, for comparison, the waveform of the original digital electrical signal (represented by the solid line) is superimposed with the waveform of the digital electrical signal passing through the LPF (represented by the dashed line), which removes signal values ​​in the frequency band above 0.5 Hz. Compared with the original digital electrical signal, the waveform of the 0.5 Hz digital electrical signal passing through the LPF produces the peak of the signal value increase later, and the maximum value of the positive and negative values ​​is smaller.

[0087] Figure 12 is a graph showing an example of the waveform of a digital electrical signal input to the determination unit 22 of the determination device 2 of the determination system disclosed in this case. In Figure 12, time is used as the horizontal axis and the signal value of the digital electrical signal is used as the vertical axis to show the change of the signal value over time. In Figure 12, for comparison, the waveform of the original digital electrical signal (represented by solid lines) is superimposed with the waveform of the calculated moving average digital electrical signal (represented by dashed lines). The moving average in Figure 12 represents the average value of the signal value over 100 times at 100 Hz, that is, the calculated value of the moving average over a period of 1 second. Compared with the original digital electrical signal, the waveform of the 1-second moving average produces the peak of the signal value becoming larger and smaller later, and the time to exceed the upper and lower reference values ​​is shorter.

[0088] Figure 13 is a graph showing an example of the waveform of a digital electrical signal input to the determination unit 22 of the determination device 2 of the determination system disclosed in this case. In Figure 13, time is used as the horizontal axis and the signal value of the digital electrical signal is used as the vertical axis to show the change of the signal value over time. In Figure 13, for comparison, the waveform of the original digital electrical signal (represented by the solid line) is superimposed with the waveform of the calculated moving average digital electrical signal (represented by the dashed line). The moving average in Figure 13 represents the average value of the signal value over 200 times at 100 Hz, that is, the calculated value of the moving average over a period of 2 seconds. Compared with the original digital electrical signal, the waveform of the 2-second moving average produces the peak of the signal value becoming larger and smaller later, and the time to exceed the upper and lower reference values ​​is shorter.

[0089] As illustrated in Figures 8 to 13, when the digital electrical signal to be determined is based on the original data of the signal waveform of the electrical signal output by the detection unit 10, it is possible to make a rapid determination. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figures 10 to 13, the digital electrical signal to be determined can also be a digital electrical signal that has passed through an LPF or a digital electrical signal that has obtained a moving average.

[0090] The configuration of the determination system disclosed in this case is not limited to the configuration illustrated in Figure 1, etc., and the hardware configuration and software processing can be appropriately designed. That is, the determination system disclosed in this case can be implemented as at least as various configurations having the following functions: a detection function for detecting fluctuations generated by an object, a signal processing function for processing the electrical signals based on the detected fluctuations, and a determination function for determining the state of the object based on digital electrical signals.

[0091] <Example 1 of other system configurations> Figure 14 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the determination system disclosed in this case. Figure 14 shows a schematic of other configuration examples of the determination system. The determination system shown in Figure 14 includes a detection device 1, a determination device 2, and a communication device 4, and further includes a signal processing device 5. The signal processing device 5 is configured by installing the signal processing unit 21 and other signal processing-related circuits of the determination device 2 as independent devices, and is constructed using a semiconductor chip such as a VLSI. The pre-processing LPF12 of the detection device 1 can also be installed in the signal processing device 5. Furthermore, by making the components related to signal processing independent as the signal processing device 5, the determination device 2 can also be constructed using a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer.

[0092] As described above, the determination system in System Configuration Example 1 is such that the signal processing-related functions of the determination device 2 are independently implemented as the signal processing device 5.

[0093] <Example 2 of other system configurations> Figure 15 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the determination system disclosed in this case. Figure 15 shows a schematic of other configuration examples of the determination system. System configuration example 2 is configured using a server computer that connects the determination device 2 to the communication network NW. In system configuration example 2, the signal processing device 5 has signal processing circuits such as a signal processing unit 21, and performs processing to send the processed digital electrical signal to the determination device 2 on the communication network NW. The determination device 2 performs various processing such as determination processing based on the received digital electrical signal, and sends notification information based on the determination result to the communication device 4 via the communication network NW. The communication device 4, configured using devices such as a nurse call receiver, monitor, and mobile phone, performs output processing such as displaying information indicating the status of the recipient and outputting sound based on the information indicating the received result.

[0094] The configuration of the determination device 2 in the determination system disclosed in this case is not limited to the configuration illustrated in Figure 4, etc., and can be designed appropriately. The determination device 2 disclosed in this case, as illustrated in Figure 4, is configured to output the digital electrical signal passing through the fourth router 21d, which becomes the object of determination processing, as unprocessed so-called raw data maintaining the signal waveform to the determination unit 22. However, the determination device 2 disclosed in this case can also be configured to process the electrical signal passing through the fourth router 21d and then output it to the determination unit 22, as illustrated below.

[0095] <Example 1 of other configurations of the determination device 2> Figure 16 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the determination device 2 and other devices included in the determination system disclosed in this case. Another configuration example 1 shown in Figure 16 is a configuration example in which the design of the fourth router 21d included in the signal processing unit 21 of the determination device 2 in the configuration example shown in Figure 4 has been modified. Regarding configurations other than the fourth router 21d, please refer to the above description, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0096] In another configuration example 1, the fourth router 21d is configured to include a noise removal circuit 21d1. The noise removal circuit 21d1 is a circuit that removes AC hum above 10 Hz. By configuring the noise removal circuit 21d1 in the fourth router 21d, the determination device 2 can improve the determination accuracy and suppress false judgments.

[0097] <Example 2 of other configurations of the determination device 2> Figure 17 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the determination device 2 and other devices included in the determination system disclosed in this case. The other configuration example 2 illustrated in Figure 17 is a configuration in the configuration example illustrated in Figure 4 that includes a fourth LPF circuit 21d2 in the fourth router 21d. Regarding the configuration other than the fourth router 21d, it is the same as the configuration example described using Figure 4. The fourth LPF circuit 21d2, for example, is a circuit that removes electrical signals in the frequency band higher than 4 Hz, allowing electrical signals in the frequency band below 4 Hz to pass through. By configuring the fourth LPF circuit 21d2 in the fourth router 21d, the determination device 2 can improve the determination accuracy and suppress false judgments. Furthermore, the third LPF circuit 21c1 removes electrical signals in the frequency band higher than 0.5 Hz, while the fourth LPF circuit 21d2 removes electrical signals in the frequency band higher than 3 Hz. Therefore, the signal passing through router 4 21d is better able to maintain the initial waveform compared to the signal passing through router 3 21c.

[0098] <Other Configuration Examples of the Judgment Device 2 (3)> Figure 18 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the determination device 2 and other devices included in the determination system disclosed in this case. Another configuration example 3 illustrated in Figure 18 is a configuration in which the fourth router 21d includes a moving average circuit 21d3, as illustrated in Figure 4. The configuration other than the fourth router 21d is the same as the configuration described above using Figure 4. The moving average circuit 21d3 is a circuit that obtains and outputs a moving average of a unit time set to less than 5 seconds for the received digital electrical signal. By configuring the moving average circuit 21d3 in the fourth router 21d, the determination device 2 can improve determination accuracy and suppress false judgments.

[0099] Other configurations of the determination device 2 described above, such as configuring the noise removal circuit 21d1, the fourth LPF circuit 21d2, or the moving average circuit 21d3 in the fourth router 21d, can also be implemented by appropriate combinations. Specifically, other configurations of the determination device 2 can be implemented in various ways, such as configuring the noise removal circuit 21d1 and the fourth LPF circuit 21d2 in the fourth router 21d, or configuring the noise removal circuit 21d1 and the moving average circuit 21d3 in the fourth router 21d.

[0100] As stated above, the judgment system disclosed in this case determines that the subject has begun to stand up when the fluctuation of the detected object exceeds the prescribed upper limit benchmark value or the lower limit benchmark value for a period of time exceeding the prescribed time benchmark value, and then reports it. This achieves the following excellent effect: it enables early detection of the start of standing movements that are prone to accidents, allowing for auxiliary responses.

[0101] This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, the above embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted restrictively. The scope of this invention is defined by the claims and is not limited by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications or alterations falling within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of this invention.

[0102] For example, the above embodiment shows a form in which both the upper limit reference value and the lower limit reference value are set as state determination conditions. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be extended to various forms, such as setting only one of the upper limit reference value and the lower limit reference value as state determination conditions.

[0103] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, a form is shown in which the time of the state above the upper limit reference value or below the lower limit reference value is compared with the reference time. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be extended to various forms such as setting reference times for the upper limit reference value and the lower limit reference value respectively.

[0104] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, a piezoelectric sensor 10a is shown as the form of the detection unit 10 provided in the detection device 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. If fluctuations can be detected, various sensors such as microphone sensors can be used.

[0105] 1: Detection device 2: Judgment device 3: Bed 4: Communication devices 5: Signal processing device 10: Testing Department 10a: Piezoelectric sensor 22: Judgment Department 30:bed board 31: Mattress 220: Control Department 221: Recording Department 221a: Decision Program

Claims

1. A determination system, characterized by comprising: a detection unit: detecting fluctuations generated by a subject and outputting an electrical signal based on the detected fluctuations; and a determination unit: determining that the subject has begun to change from a lying position to a sitting position when the signal value of the electrical signal output by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined time reference value for a period of time that satisfies a predetermined upper limit reference value or a lower limit reference value, starting from a determined lying position.

2. As in the determination system of request item 1, wherein, This signal value is the value of the signal waveform that maintains the waveform shape of the electrical signal output by the detection unit.

3. As in the determination system for request item 1 or 2, wherein, This signal value is the electrical signal output from the detection unit after removing the AC hum.

4. As in the determination system for request item 1 or 2, wherein, The signal value is the value of the signal waveform obtained by passing the frequency band below 4 Hz through the electrical signal output from the detection unit.

5. As in the determination system for request item 1 or 2, wherein, The signal value is a moving average obtained over a period of less than 5 seconds based on the electrical signal output by the detection unit.

6. As in the determination system for request item 1 or 2, wherein, The electrical signal output by the detection unit is an analog electrical signal, and the signal value is the value of the digital electrical signal converted from the analog electrical signal.

7. As in the determination system for request item 1 or 2, wherein, The detection unit contains a piezoelectric sensor formed in the shape of a sheet.

8. A determination method, characterized in that: a detection unit detects fluctuations generated by a subject and outputs an electrical signal based on the detected fluctuations; when the subject's posture is determined to be in a lying position, and the signal value of the electrical signal output by the detection unit exceeds a predetermined time reference value for a period of time that satisfies a predetermined upper limit reference value or a lower limit reference value, it is determined that the subject has begun to change from a lying position to a sitting position and start getting up.

9. A determination device comprising: an input unit for receiving an electrical signal input based on wave detection, the wave being generated based on a subject; and a determination unit for determining that the subject has begun to change from a lying position to a sitting position when the signal value of the electrical signal received by the input unit exceeds a predetermined time reference value for a period of time that satisfies a predetermined upper limit reference value or a lower limit reference value, starting from a determined lying position.

10. A determination program that enables a computer to determine the state of an object and to perform the following steps: an input step: accepting a signal value input based on fluctuations generated based on the object; and a determination step: when the object's posture is determined to be in a lying position, and the time for which the received signal value satisfies a state condition of being above a predetermined upper limit reference value or below a predetermined lower limit reference value exceeds a predetermined time reference value, the program determines that the object has begun to change from a lying position to a sitting position and is getting up.

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