In-bed state detection system

• US 6,239,706 B1
• Filed: 09/16/1998
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Inoue, Shigeyuki, Hashimoto, Kazuhiko, Yoshiike, Nobuyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/154,493
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/575, 340/686.1, 340/286.07, 340/666, 600/484, 600/595, 600/459, 177/144, 177/210 R
• US Class Current: 340/573.4
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons

Abstract

An in-bed state detection system 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.

Claims

1. An in-bed state detection system comprising:

a load detection section adapted for placement between a bed and a floor on which the bed is placed for detecting a load applied to the 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,

wherein 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.

2. An in-bed state detection system according to claim 1 further comprising means for indicating the in-bed state via sounds and/or light.

3. An in-bed state detection system according to claim 1, wherein

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.

4. An in-bed state detection system according to claim 1, wherein 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.

5. An in-bed state detection system according to claim 1, further comprising 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.

6. An in-bed state detection system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission section includes an electromagnetic signal transmitter and an electromagnetic signal receiver adapted to be disposed at spaced apart locations.

7. An in-bed state detection system according to claim 1, wherein the determination section determines the in-bed state based on an amplitude and a frequency of the load signal.

8. A bed having an in-bed state detection system comprising:

a bed;

a load detection section between said bed and a floor on which said bed is placed for;

(a) detecting a load applied to said bed, and

(b) supplying a load signal representative of the load applied to said bed;

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,

wherein 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.

9. A bed according to claim 8, wherein said transmission section includes an electromagnetic signal transmitter and an electromagnetic signal receiver disposed at spaced apart locations.

10. A bed according to claim 9, wherein said electromagnetic signal transmitter is disposed on said bed.

11. A bed according to claim 9, wherein said electromagnetic signal receiver is disposed on one of the ceiling, the wall and the floor of the room in which said bed is located.