In-bed state detection system

Details In-bed state detection system In-bed state detection system

1998-09-16

2001-05-29

Trieu, Van T. (Department: 2736)

Communications: electrical

Condition responsive indicating system

Specific condition

C340S575000, C340S686100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06239706

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an in-bed state detection system for detecting how a human is situated in a bed.
2. Description of the Related Art
In hospitals, facilities for the aged, etc., it is often necessary to know whether a person is in bed or out of bed and wandering somewhere, for example. Therefore, nurses or the like may be required to make rounds to rooms accommodating one or more beds.
Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Publication No. 4-30504 discloses an apparatus for monitoring whether or not a person is in bed. This publication discloses a plurality of pyroelectric infrared sensors and thermopiles which are disposed by the bedside and horizontally to the pillow.
However, there has not been proposed any effective method which is intended for a high-quality care based on various states of sleep of a patient for detecting whether the patient (hospitalized or otherwise) on a bed is fast asleep or lacking sleep, or in an abnormal state (e.g., having strokes of a certain disease, convulsion, etc.).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An in-bed state detection system according to the present invention includes: a load detection section for detecting a load applied to a bed and providing a corresponding load signal; a determination section for determining an in-bed state based on the load signal; and a transmission section for transmitting a result of the determination.
In one embodiment of the invention, the load detection section is provided between the bed and a floor on which the bed is placed.
In another embodiment of the invention, the in-bed state detection system further includes means for indicating the in-bed state via sounds and/or light.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the transmission section includes an electromagnetic signal transmitter and an electromagnetic signal receiver, the electromagnetic signal transmitter being disposed on the bed, and the electromagnetic signal receiver being disposed at a location other than on the bed.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the determination section differentiates the load signal by time and determines the in-bed state based on an output intensity and temporal distribution of a signal resulting from differentiation of the load signal.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the determination section determines the in-bed state based on an amplitude and a frequency of the load signal.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the in-bed state is at least one of a “fast asleep” state, a “lacking sleep” state, a “convulsive” state, a “frantic” state, and a “periodic strokes” state.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the in-bed state detection system further includes a central control unit for receiving the result of the determination transmitted from the transmission section and displaying the result, the central control unit being disposed in a room other than a room in which the bed is placed.
Thus, the invention described herein makes possible the advantage of providing an in-bed state detection system for detecting how a human is situated in a bed.
This and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4179692 (1979-12-01), Vance
patent: 4263586 (1981-04-01), Nicholas
patent: 4320766 (1982-03-01), Alihanka et al.
patent: 4633237 (1986-12-01), Tucknott et al.
patent: 4638307 (1987-01-01), Swartout
patent: 4657026 (1987-04-01), Tagg
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patent: 5276432 (1994-01-01), Travis
patent: 5479939 (1996-01-01), Ogino
patent: 5590650 (1997-01-01), Genova
patent: 5853005 (1998-12-01), Scanlon
patent: 4-30504 (1992-03-01), None
patent: 4-153799 (1992-05-01), None
European Search Report dated Jul. 13, 1999 for EP 98 11 7439.

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