EP0702342A2 - Installation for individual and identifiable assistance - Google Patents

Abstract

Each control emitter (6) has an infra-red diode transmitting instructions connected to two buttons to set off respectively a call-acknowledged message and an emergency call message. The call emitter (5) has an infra-red receiver with its logic circuit to set off the appropriate message according to the instruction. Each control emitter has an identification code contained within the transmitted message. The call emitter has two separated magnetic detectors to transmit an acknowledgement not identified message and an emergency call message. It has an indicator light set off by sending the call message and time switched or stopped by the sending of the call-acknowledged or emergency message.

Description

The invention relates to an individual assistance installation identified by radio waves.

Personalized assistance systems are of great use not only in establishments for the elderly or disabled, but also in establishments of the clinical or hospital type, or any other establishment receiving a population in common services.

In the simplest cases, a call device is provided in each room of the establishment, for example of the call button type.

The button in each room is connected by wire to a surveillance room where there is a table with an indicator or a bell corresponding to each room. When the resident of a room presses the button, the doorbell rings in the surveillance room, warning staff of a need.

The call button can of course be replaced by a zipper or a pear, and the call bell by an indicator light or the like.

More elaborate systems provide in each room a second button called the acknowledgment button, which is intended to be actuated by the person intervening to assist the resident of the room, so as to cause the interruption of the call signal to the level of the surveillance room. When a member of staff intervenes in a room, he actuates the acknowledgment button, which interrupts the call signal.

Wired systems having many drawbacks due to the importance of the work required as well as installation and maintenance costs, it has been imagined to replace the electric wires by a radio link. Thus, the system is freed from physical links, and becomes easy and quick to install.

In addition, radio systems allow the call button to be replaced or supplemented by a portable transmitter permanently worn by each resident. This not only improves the geographic scope of the system, which is no longer limited by the wired installation, but also the quality of monitoring, since radio transmitters allow calls in cases emergency resulting in the impossibility of reaching a fixed button, as after a fall for example.

Generally, each resident has an individual transmitter with a call button. A surveillance center is provided, connected to one or more receiving antennas covering the surveillance territory (one floor, one building, a set of buildings, a park, etc.). This central unit manages the transmission of call information to traditional indicators, bells, indicators, or to portable indication devices ("beeps") from the person or persons responsible.

Known radio systems generally have an acknowledgment signaling means in each room, either in the form of a fixed acknowledgment button, or in the form of a magnetic detector with which the transmitters are fitted, and which triggers the emission of a so-called acknowledgment signal. To this end, the surveillance personnel carry a validation means, such as a portable magnet, which they need only approach the transmitter to trigger the emission of the acknowledgment message.

The assistance systems which have thus been developed, however, still have a certain number of drawbacks.

Indeed, if they ensure by design an identification of the caller during the call by coding the transmitters, the acknowledgment message, carried out for example by magnetic cancellation of the call message, does not allow an identification of the staff who intervened. It is therefore impossible to identify personnel answering patient calls through the facility, except by using additional means of transmission.

On the other hand, rescuers may, in turn, need to call for help. It then activates the rescued resident's call transmitter again. But this second call will only cause a signal to the staff who have already been warned and are therefore already on the scene.

An object of the invention is to eliminate these drawbacks by satisfactorily responding to the shortcomings of the current devices.

To this end, the invention relates to an assistance installation individual identified by radio waves, comprising individual transmitters for the transmission of calls by radio waves and a call management center, in which each call transmitter comprises a transmission device by radio waves connected to a logic circuit , itself connected to at least one physical actuation means triggering the transmission of a call message, each call transmitter further comprising an individual identification code which is contained in any message transmitted by the transmitter call, characterized in that the installation also includes a plurality of individual control transmitters, each control transmitter comprising a device for signaling radio instructions connected to a logic circuit, itself connected to a means of physical actuation of acknowledgment triggering the production of an acknowledgment message instruction, and a means of physical actuation of emergency triggering call the production of an emergency call message instruction, each call transmitter comprising a means for detecting the instruction signals, connected to its logic circuit, tripping selectively, when activated, according to the instruction, the emission of acknowledgment messages or emergency call messages.

Preferably, each control transmitter comprises an individual identification code which is contained in any instruction transmitted to the call transmitter by the control transmitter to be contained in any message transmitted in application of this instruction by the transmitter call.

Advantageously, the instruction signals are infrared signals.

Each call transmitter can further comprise a magnetic detector connected to the logic circuit, transmitting an unidentified acknowledgment instruction, and possibly a second magnetic detector connected to the logic circuit, transmitting an emergency call message, the two detectors magnetic then being arranged in separate locations distant from each other.

Call transmitters can advantageously be provided with a quiet indicator triggered by the sending of a call message and either timed or stopped by the sending of a message or emergency call.

The control transmitters can be provided with an indicator for confirmation of the transfer of instruction signals.

Each control transmitter can further comprise a coding signal detector connected to the logic circuit for programming the identification code of the control transmitter, the coding of the transmitters being carried out by means of at least one detection device. coding of transmitters comprising one or more selectors and a physical actuation means connected to a device for producing coding signals.

Advantageously, the identification codes of the control transmitters consist of an identification by function or service and an individual identification.

• la figure 1 est une vue synoptique schématique d'une installation d'assistance individuelle identifiée selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique d'un émetteur d'appel et d'un émetteur de contrôle;
• la figure 3 est une vue d'un émetteur d'appel et d'un appareil de codage ;
• la figure 4 est une vue éclatée d'un émetteur d'appel ;
• la figure 5 est une vue éclatée d'un émetteur de contrôle.

Other aspects of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, carried out by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic schematic view of an individual assistance installation identified according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a schematic view of a call transmitter and a control transmitter;
• Figure 3 is a view of a call transmitter and a coding apparatus;
• Figure 4 is an exploded view of a call transmitter;
• Figure 5 is an exploded view of a control transmitter.

The assistance facilities identified are generally intended for establishments accommodating people requiring frequent or permanent assistance, which will be called supervised persons, assisted persons or patients.

Supervision and assistance is generally carried out by members of the personnel called surveillance or assistance persons, or even rescuers.

An example of an individual assistance installation identified 1 according to the invention, the essential elements of which are represented in the figures, comprises, on the one hand, a call management center 2, connected to a series of main antennas 3 and possibly a plurality of secondary or relay antennas 4, and on the other hand, one or more individual call transmitters 5 which are assigned to each monitored person, and one or more control transmitters 6 which are assigned to or to members of the surveillance staff called by their functions to intervene in the event of a call.

The call messages received by the management center can be signaled by display devices 7, visual or audible, by being assigned either totally centralized to a surveillance room, or selectively by department, by department, by floor. , etc. In general, this signaling mode is supplemented by individual signaling carried out by means of a people search device 8 connected to portable signaling devices 9, called "beeps". A printer 10 can also be provided, recording successively the calls.

These various means of signaling and paging are well known in the state of the art.

Typically, the call transmitters 5 can transmit call messages identifying the patient as well as acknowledgment messages and so-called emergency or second level messages identifying the rescuer, on instruction transmitted by the transmitter. control 6 thereof. Thus, in particular, the rescuer can either "acknowledge" a call or request assistance in turn, without their message then coming back to itself.

The call transmitters 5, an example of which is shown in FIG. 4, consist of a box 11 containing a printed circuit 12. The call transmitters 5 can be carried simply in the pocket in the manner of a holder. key, pin, or even clipped for example. However, preferably, the call transmitter 5 according to the invention comprises a cord 13 allowing it to be worn around the neck, the transmitter is thus permanently visible and easy to actuate by the patient. On the other hand, the cord 13 advantageously functions as an antenna.

The housing 11 can be made for example of rigid plastic material, having an ergonomic shape for easy gripping and devoid of sharp edges, with clean colors, in to facilitate its use by patients even with reduced physical and / or mental resources.

The housing 11 is composed in the embodiment shown of two molded half-shells 14,15 joined together at a median plane forming a plane of symmetry, by clipping or by means of screws.

The housing is preferably sealed, and then includes a peripheral sealing gasket (not shown) at the interface between the two half-shells.

The printed circuit 12 is disposed on supports 16,17 molded in one piece with the lower half-shell 14, and held when the housing is closed by similar supports symmetrically arranged, which are molded on the upper half-shell 15 of the housing 11.

The call transmitter 5 comprises a main actuation button 18 which appears clearly visible in the middle of the front face of the upper half-shell 14 when the housing 11 is closed.

The call transmitter 5 also comprises a radio signal detector 19 for the purpose of detecting instructions from one of the control transmitters 6, these instructions being hereinafter called assistance instructions.

In the embodiment shown, the transmission of the instructions between the control transmitter 6 and the call transmitter 5 is done by means of infrared signals. It is understood that other modes of transmission are conceivable, in particular, transmission by radio waves in other frequency ranges.

The infrared detector 19 is here arranged under the actuation button 18, the latter being made of a material transparent to infrared signals.

Advantageously, a tranquilization indicator light 20 is provided, the ignition of which is triggered by the emission of the call signal.

According to a feature of the invention, additional actuation means are provided.

The main call button 18 is doubled by one or more call buttons 21, 22 actuated by pulling the cord 13 acting as an antenna. These buttons are arranged symmetrically at the end of the printed circuit 12. The printed circuit 12 is slidably mounted over a short distance between the supports 16, 17 which then play the role of slides. More specifically, the upper 15 and lower 14 elements of the housing have centering studs 23, 24 facing each other which come into contact when the housing 1 1 is closed. The printed circuit 12 is provided with two elongated openings 25, 26 for the passage of the centering pads, which thus have the effect of limiting the sliding travel of the printed circuit 12.

When a pull is exerted on the cord 13, even on only one of its branches, the printed circuit 12 is pulled towards the corresponding end of the housing 11, so that at least one of the buttons 21, 22 is crushed against the end wall of the housing.

An element made of elastic material 27 ensures the return to the position of the circuit 12 when the traction on the cord ceases.

The printed circuit 12 comprises a logic circuit containing an individual identification code, this logic circuit being connected to a device for transmitting radio messages 28.

An energy source is provided in the form of a battery 29 which is mounted in a lateral recess 30 of rectangular shape of the circuit and connected to the logic circuit.

The logic circuit is also connected, on the one hand, to the main call button 18 and to the additional push buttons 21, 22 by pulling the cord, and on the other hand to the signal detector 19.

According to a feature of the invention, each call transmitter 5 further comprises a magnetic field detector 31, arranged for example near one end of the housing, and connected to the logic circuit. This detector makes it possible to control the transmission of an acknowledgment message by means of a magnet or a magnetic transmitter, the acknowledgment then being anonymous.

In a variant not shown, a second magnetic detector may be provided, at a separate location, for example a side face, distant from the first magnetic detector. This second magnetic detector may make it possible to control the transmission of a second level call message by means of the same magnet, the second level call also being anonymous.

In this variant, a rescuer who does not have an identified control transmitter can, using a simple magnet, order the transmission either of an acknowledgment message or of a call message from second level (not identified), depending on the location where it will place this magnet on the rescued person's call transmitter.

In the embodiment described, the logic circuit is produced by a microcontroller 32, which can be, for example, a usual CMOS type microcontroller.

The signal detector 19, which here is an infrared detector, is advantageously constituted by an infrared diode or phototransistor, coupled to an amplification chain.

The magnetic detector 31 is simply an ILS cell.

Alternatively, a Hall effect or magneto-resistive sensor may be used.

The radio transmitter is a frequency modulation transmitter. For this purpose, it is for example a quartz transmitter.

Frequency modulation allows high quality and reliability of the transmission, compared to phase or amplitude modulation subject to parasitic reflections and attenuations which practically limit the transmission to a shorter range.

The operation of the logic circuit is as follows.

The microcontroller 32 permanently includes a parameter or code for identifying the patient, which can be fixed once and for all during assembly before closing the housing 11, or can be parameterized by means of the infrared detector 19.

As a variant, it could be adjusted by a series of switches, for example three, arranged on the wafer inside the housing, accessible only to a technician by opening the housing.

This identification code is contained in each message sent by the transmission device controlled by the microcontroller according to the instructions received.

If the instruction comes from the main call button 18 or one or more of the additional call buttons 21, 22, the microcontroller 32 then commands the transmission of a call signal.

If the instruction comes from the magnetic detector or detectors 31, the microcontroller 32 then commands the transmission either of an unidentified acknowledgment message or of an unidentified emergency call message.

If the instruction comes from the infrared detector 19, the microcontroller 32 then controls, according to the instructions received via this infrared detector 19, an identified end of call or acknowledgment signal, containing the code of the rescued person and that of the rescuer, that is an identified second level call signal, containing the code of the rescued person and the code of the rescuer.

The control unit 2, which detects the call signal from the transmitter 5, distinguishes the second level call, containing the code of the rescuer, from a "normal" call, which would be transmitted to the intention of the same person who is already helping. This second level call is then transmitted to a second level monitoring staff, for example the hierarchical superior, or a colleague.

We will now describe, with reference to FIG. 5, the control transmitter 6 which is assigned to the surveillance personnel.

It also consists of a box 33 containing a printed circuit 34.

The box 33 of the control transmitter 6 preferably has a different shape and / or color from the box 11 of the call transmitter 5.

It has on its front face two buttons 35, 36, for example of different shapes or colors. The first button 35 is said acknowledgment button (identified) and the other button 36 is called second degree or emergency call button.

It also has at its end a small opening in which is placed a transmission device 37 for the production of radio instructions to a call transmitter. The instruction transmission being carried out here by infrared, it is an infrared diode.

The printed circuit 34 comprises a logic circuit connected, on the one hand, to the instruction transmission device 37, which is here an infrared diode, and on the other hand, to the buttons 35, 36 sensitive to depression. This logic circuit is a microcontroller 38 of the same type as that of the call transmitters 5.

The microcontroller 38 permanently comprises a parameter or identification code of the monitoring person, which can also be definitively fixed during assembly before closing of the housing 33, or else be configurable, for example by means of the buttons 35 , 36.

As a variant, the control transmitter 6 could comprise an infrared detector, for example by means of which a configuration instruction could be transmitted.

This configuration could also in a simple variant be adjusted by means of a series of switches, for example three arranged on the wafer inside the housing, accessible only to a technician by opening the housing.

The logic circuit is designed so that the identification code is contained in each instruction produced by the instruction transmission device 37 of the control transmitter 6, so as to be contained in the message transmitted by the transmitter d call 5.

The logic circuit thus controls the production of an infrared instruction comprising a function code (acknowledgment, second call) and an identification code which is its own code.

If the first button 35 is pressed, the instruction relates to an identified acknowledgment signal.

If the second button 36 is pressed, the instruction relates to a second level call signal, also identified.

To transmit the instruction signal to the call transmitter 5 which will transmit the message towards the control unit 2, it suffices to approach the infrared diode 37, located on the top of the housing 33 of the control transmitter 6 , the infrared detector 19 on the call transmitter 5, which is generally arranged on the use face of the housing 11 of the call transmitter 5 (see FIG. 2).

An indicator light 39 confirming the transfer of instructions may be provided near the actuation buttons. The logic circuit is also connected to an energy source in the form of a battery 40.

It will be noted that the identification codes of the surveillance persons may be function or service codes, or individual codes, or even composite codes containing the two items of information.

Alternatively, the call transmitter could be present as a wall transmitter. This embodiment can be used as a replacement for the portable transmitter. However, it will advantageously be present as a complement or double of the portable transmitters.

The wall transmitter also consists of a box containing a printed circuit.

The call is triggered by means of a call bulb connected by a cord to the box. This pear replaces the button on the portable transmitter. As a variant, other means of triggering the call can be envisaged, such as pedals, zippers, cushions sensitive to crushing, cry detectors, etc.

The box has a button called the acknowledgment button, which will then be an unidentified acknowledgment, and a second button called the second level call button, also unidentified. These triggering modes can be useful in the case where the rescuing person does not have their own control transmitter or magnetic transmitter on them.

There are also provided pull trigger buttons on the pear cord, similar to pull trigger devices on the cord of the portable transmitter, but trigger pull down. The wall transmitter can also include a detachment system for tearing off the pear cord.

Specifically, the wall transmitter includes an instruction signal detector, for example an infrared detector, for the transmission by a control transmitter of an instruction to transmit an identified acknowledgment or a second call. level identified.

Each wall transmitter could of course include a second call bulb, each of the two call pears having its own identifier code, or both the same code.

For its other characteristics, this wall transmitter is analogous to portable transmitters.

According to another variant, the call transmitter 5 could be a mixed wall / portable transmitter comprising a portable element in the form of a transmitter transmitter and a fixed element acting as a wall support.

the transmitter is similar to the portable transmitters described above, with an additional interface for contact with the support in the wall position.

The wall mount includes call pears, which can transmit a call command to the transmitter through the wall mounted interface of the transmitter. The support also advantageously has a tranquilization indicator and acknowledgment and emergency call buttons, so as to offer the same options as a permanent wall transmitter.

The codes of the various elements of the installation are, in the simplest way, numerical codes.

The coding of the call transmitters is carried out via the call button, and the coding of the control transmitters is carried out via either the acknowledgment button or the second call button level. It suffices to hold down this button for a relatively long time, for example 10 seconds, so as to position the logic circuit in programming mode. The button is then pressed a number of times corresponding to the transmitter code, the last press being also long (10 seconds) in order to signal the exit from the programming mode. This programming mode of the microcontrollers 32 and 38 is known per se.

As a variant, the programming of the call transmitter is carried out by means of a coding device or coder 41 using infrared light signals, comprising an infrared diode 42, one or more selectors 43, 44 and an actuation button. 45 (Figure 3). The selector is placed in the position corresponding to the desired code, the diode of the detector of the call transmitter or the control transmitter is approached, and the programming signals are triggered by pressing the button. The transmission is certified by a control lamp 46.

Radio messages transmitted to the control center always include the digital code of the caller. If it is a message ordered by a control transmitter (identified acknowledgment message or emergency message), it also contains the digital code of the control transmitter. The control unit is then provided with an equivalence table making it possible to associate with each transmitter code a label specific to the establishment, which is transmitted to the signaling devices (light panels, sound calls, "beeps").

Claims (10)

installation of individual assistance identified by radio waves, comprising individual transmitters for the transmission of calls by radio waves and a call management center, in which each call transmitter comprises a transmission device by radio waves connected to a logic circuit, itself connected to at least one physical actuation means triggering the transmission of a call message, each call transmitter further comprising an individual identification code which is contained in any message transmitted by the call transmitter, characterized in that the installation (1) also comprises a plurality of individual control transmitters (6), each control transmitter (6) comprising a device for signaling radio instructions (37 ) connected to a logic circuit, itself connected to a physical acknowledgment actuation means (35) triggering the production of an acknowledgment message instruction, and to an actuation means physical emergency call (36) triggering the production of an emergency call message instruction, each call transmitter (5) comprising instruction signal detection means (19) connected to its logic circuit, and selectively triggering when activated, depending on the instruction, the transmission of acknowledgment messages or emergency call messages. Individual assistance system identified according to claim 1, characterized in that each control transmitter (6) comprises an individual identification code which is contained in any instruction transmitted to the call transmitter (5) by the transmitter control (6) to be contained in any message sent in application of this instruction by the call transmitter (5). Individual assistance installation identified according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the instruction signals emitted by the control transmitters (6) are infrared signals. Individual assistance installation identified according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each call transmitter (5) further comprises a magnetic detector (31) transmitting an unidentified acknowledgment instruction. Individual assistance installation identified according to claim 4, characterized in that the call transmitter (5) further comprises a second magnetic detector transmitting an emergency call message, the two magnetic detectors being arranged in locations separate from each other. Individual assistance installation identified according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each call transmitter (5) comprises a quiet indicator (20) triggered by the sending of a call message and is timed , or stopped by sending an acknowledgment or emergency call message. Individual assistance installation identified according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each control transmitter (6) comprises an indicator (39) for confirming the transfer of instruction signals. Individual assistance installation identified according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each control transmitter (6) further comprises a coding signal detector connected to the logic circuit for programming the identification code of the control transmitter. Individual assistance installation identified according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one coding apparatus (41) for the transmitters (5, 6) comprising one or more selectors (43,44) and one physical actuation means (45) connected to a production of coding signals (42). Individual assistance installation identified according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification codes of the control transmitters (6) consist of an identification by function or service and an individual identification.

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