HK1234569A1 - Watching system, watching detection device, and watching notification device - Google Patents

Description

Nursing system, nursing detection device and nursing notification device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a nursing system, a nursing detection device, and a nursing notification device.

Background

With regard to a nursing system, patent document 1 listed below proposes to receive detected data from both a human body detection sensor installed in a residence of a person as a subject to be nursed and an acceleration sensor worn by a resident to judge activities and conditions of the resident and events occurring in the residence. On the other hand, patent document 2 listed below proposes a masticatory movement detection device in which the number of masticatory movements is counted based on a detection waveform received from a detector placed in an external auditory canal, and the amount of deformation of the external auditory canal is detected. Further, for cartilage conduction which has been found as a third conduction path in addition to known air conduction and bone conduction, the patent documents listed below describe that vibration generated by a vibration source in contact with the ear cartilage around the entrance portion of the external auditory meatus causes an air conduction sound to be generated from the cartilage surface inside the external auditory meatus, and then the generated air conduction sound reaches the eardrum through the inside of the external auditory meatus.

Reference list

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2014-89494

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2011-10791

Patent document 3: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2013-81047

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

However, there are a number of issues that need further consideration with regard to the care system, the care detection device, and the care notification device.

In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide an effective nursing system, a nursing detection device, and a nursing notification device.

Solution to the problem

The nursing detection device disclosed herein includes a cartilage conduction vibration source and a nursing detection sensor, and is mountable to an ear without closing an entrance of an external auditory canal (first configuration).

Here, the nursing detection device having the first configuration may further include an air conduction microphone, and function as a hearing aid by vibrating the cartilage conduction vibration source according to a voice signal picked up by the air conduction microphone (second configuration).

The nursing detection device having the first configuration may further include a short-range communication unit that is capable of communicating with the nursing notification device and causes the cartilage conduction vibration source to vibrate according to a voice signal received from the nursing notification device via the short-range communication unit (third configuration).

In the nursing detection device having the first configuration, the nursing detection sensor may be a masticatory movement sensor (fourth configuration). In the nursing detection device having the fourth configuration, the masticatory movement sensor may also serve as a cartilage conduction vibration source (fifth configuration).

In the nursing detection device having the first configuration, the nursing detection sensor may be a voice sensor (sixth configuration). In the nursing detection device having the sixth configuration, the voice sensor may be a bone conduction microphone (seventh configuration). In the nursing detection device having the seventh configuration, the bone conduction microphone may also serve as a cartilage conduction vibration source (eighth configuration). The nursing detection device having the seventh configuration may further include an air conduction microphone for hearing aid function, and the air conduction microphone may be turned off when the bone conduction microphone is used (ninth configuration).

The care system disclosed herein includes a care detection device having a first configuration, and a care notification device (tenth configuration) that receives care information from a care detection sensor via short-range communication with the care detection device.

In the nursing system having the tenth configuration, the nursing detection sensor may be a voice sensor, and the nursing notification device may issue a notification of whether or not there is a voice signal picked up by the voice sensor, without issuing any notification of the content of the voice signal (eleventh configuration). In the nursing system having the eleventh configuration, the nursing notification device may judge the urgency of the voice signal picked up by the voice sensor, and exceptionally issue a notification of the content of the voice signal when the urgency is high (twelfth configuration).

In the nursing system having the tenth configuration, the nursing notification device may issue a notification when it has been impossible to receive a detection signal from the nursing detection sensor within a predetermined period of time (thirteenth configuration). In the nursing system having the tenth configuration, the nursing notification apparatus may include a plurality of nursing notification apparatuses each of which receives nursing information from the same nursing detection apparatus, and the plurality of nursing notification apparatuses exchange the received nursing information with each other (fourteenth configuration). In the nursing system having the tenth configuration, the nursing notification apparatus may be a mobile phone, and a voice signal of a call partner received by the mobile phone may be transmitted to the nursing detection apparatus via short-range communication to vibrate the cartilage conduction vibration source (fifteenth configuration).

The nursing system disclosed herein includes a nursing detection device and a plurality of nursing notification devices, each of which receives nursing information from the nursing detection device via short-range communication with the nursing detection device, and exchanges the received nursing information with each other (sixteenth configuration).

In the nursing system having the sixteenth configuration, the plurality of nursing notification apparatuses issue different notifications based on the nursing information (seventeenth configuration). In the nursing system having the sixteenth configuration, the plurality of nursing notification apparatuses include a mobile phone and a notification apparatus placed in a home (eighteenth configuration).

The nursing notification apparatus disclosed herein includes: an acquisition unit that acquires care information from the voice sensor; and a notification unit that issues a notification of whether or not there is a voice signal acquired by the acquisition unit, without issuing any notification of the content of the voice signal (nineteenth configuration).

In the nursing detection apparatus having the nineteenth configuration, the notification unit may judge the urgency of the voice signal acquired by the acquisition unit, and exceptionally issue a notification of the content of the voice signal when the urgency is high (twentieth configuration).

Advantageous effects of the invention

As described above, according to the present invention, an effective nursing system, a nursing detection device, and a nursing notification device are provided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a first embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an ear to illustrate cartilage conduction;

fig. 4 is a graph illustrating an example of measurement data showing the effect of cartilage conduction;

fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the function of the ear-mounted unit in the first embodiment;

fig. 6 illustrates a flow chart of the functions of the mobile phone in the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the function of an in-home monitoring unit in a first embodiment; and

fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a second embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention.

Detailed Description

First embodiment

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration according to a first embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. According to a first embodiment, a care system for performing care inside a home 2 comprises: an ear-mounted unit 6 (indicated by a short dashed line for distinguishing from the structure of the ear) which is in contact with cartilage around the hole of the ear 4 of the person being cared for by being sandwiched between the helix and the tragus to fit in the cavum concha; an in-home monitoring unit 8; and a mobile phone 10 of the care-giver. The in-home monitoring unit 8 and the mobile telephone 10 exchange information with the ear-mounted unit 6 via short-range communication. The mobile telephone 10 exchanges information over short distances with the ear-mounted unit 6 and the in-home monitoring unit 8.

The ear-mounted unit 6 functions as a headset for the mobile phone 10 by performing short-range communication with the mobile phone 10, and allows a phone call to be made with the mobile phone 10 held in a pocket of clothing. The ear-mounted unit 6 also functions independently as a hearing aid. These functions, both as a headset and as a hearing aid, are achieved by using cartilage conduction, which will be described later. The ear-mounted unit 6 further includes a mastication sensor to detect movement of the tragus and the like, or deformation of the external auditory meatus, caused by mastication movement. Here, the ear-mounted unit 6 is ring-shaped with a hole 6a so that the entrance of the external auditory meatus is opened even when the ear-mounted unit 6 is fitted in the external auditory meatus. This makes it possible to hear external sound via the hole 6a and contributes to comfortable wearing of the ear-mounted unit 6 without a feeling of obstruction in the external auditory meatus. Further, as described later, by closing the hole 6a with a finger or covering it with a palm as necessary, a blocking effect of cartilage conduction can be obtained to hear a larger sound.

The in-home monitoring unit 8 has a short-range communication unit 12 for short-range communication with the ear-mounted unit 6 and the mobile phone 10, and a digital communication unit 14 for performing internet communication with an external device through an always-on connection. The control unit 16 controls the entire in-home monitoring unit 8 including the short-range communication unit 12 and the digital communication unit 14. The storage unit 18 stores therein a program necessary for control performed by the control unit 16, and also temporarily stores therein various data relating to control and the like.

With this configuration, the in-home monitoring unit 8 receives the detection result of the chewing motion from the ear-mounted unit 6 via short-range communication. If the chewing motion expected in daily life is not detected, the in-home monitoring unit 8 judges that there is a possibility of abnormality, and notifies the care service provider of the effect via the digital communication unit 14. Further, the in-home monitoring unit 8 receives information on the presence/absence of the voice of the care-giver detected by the headphone function of the ear-mounted unit 6. In the case where no voice is detected for a predetermined period of time, or in the case where a voice signal conveying urgency such as screaming is detected, the in-home monitoring unit 8 judges that there is a possibility of abnormality, and notifies the care service provider of the effect via the digital communication unit 14.

Further, the mobile phone 10 receives the detection result of the chewing motion from the ear-mounted unit 6 via short-range communication. If the chewing motion expected in daily life is not detected, the mobile phone 10 judges that there is a possibility of abnormality, and makes an automatic phone call to a mobile phone of a family member or the like who lives far away (remotely) and has registered in advance of the caregiver subject person, and when receiving an answer to the phone call, the mobile phone 10 notifies him/her of the effect in the form of an automatic voice message. Further, the mobile phone 10 receives information on presence/absence of voice of the caregiver detected by the headphone function of the ear-mounted unit 6. In the case where no voice is detected within a predetermined period of time, or in the case where a signal of a voice conveying urgency such as screaming has been detected, the mobile phone 10 judges that there is a possibility of an abnormality, and makes an automatic phone call to a mobile phone of a family member or the like who lives far away and has registered in advance of a caregiver subject person, and when a response to the phone call is received, the mobile phone 10 issues a notification to the effect.

Here, in the case where a chewing motion expected in daily life is detected, the mobile phone 10 also makes an automatic phone call to a mobile phone of a family member or the like of the caretaker who lives far away, and when a response to the phone call is received, the mobile phone 10 notifies him/her as an automatic voice message that no abnormal effect has occurred. Further, based on the detection of the normal voice of the care-giver, the mobile phone 10 also makes an automatic phone call to a family member or the like of the care-giver who lives far as necessary, and when receiving a response to the phone call, the mobile phone 10 notifies him/her of no effect of abnormality in the form of an automatic voice message. This allows the caregiver's family members, etc. who live far away to know that the caregiver has regularly taken three meals a day and that there is a state where a conversation that the caregiver is expected to have, or a voice that is regularly uttered in a previously set period of time (e.g., a conversation in daily shopping, a daily recital), and take a rest with knowledge that the caregiver is all normal. In this case, however, the mobile phone 10 makes an automatic phone call even when the care-target person does not intend, and hence the contents of such a conversation are undesirably heard by family members or the like of the care-target person who live far away. Although it is his or her own family member that hears the contents of such a conversation, it is undesirable for the caretaker in terms of privacy, and therefore, as described later, it is merely notified whether or not a voice has been uttered, so that the contents of the conversation cannot be heard.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in fig. 1. These elements in fig. 2 having corresponding parts in fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals as their corresponding parts, and the description thereof will be omitted unless necessary. The in-home monitoring unit 8 configured as shown in fig. 1 includes a power supply unit 20 that provides power to the entire in-home monitoring unit 8. The power supply unit 20 receives power from a household power supply in the home 2.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 2, the mobile telephone 10 includes a mobile telephone function unit 22 to perform telephone communications through an antenna 24 via a wireless telephone network. The short-range communication unit 26 communicates with the short-range communication units 36 and 12 of the in-home monitoring unit 8 and the ear-mounted unit 6, respectively. The GPS unit 28 detects the position of the subject person wearing the ear-mounted unit 6 when he/she goes out, and communicates with the mobile phone of a family member or the like of the subject person who lives relatively far, or with the care service provider, which has been described above, to provide them with information of the position of the subject person. The control unit 30 performs overall control of the entire mobile phone 10 including the mobile phone function unit 22, the short-range communication unit 26, and the GPS unit 28. The storage unit 32 stores therein a program necessary for control performed by the control unit 30, and also temporarily stores therein various data relating to control and the like. The power supply unit 34 includes a rechargeable battery, and supplies power to the entire mobile phone 10. In fig. 2, of the components of the mobile phone 10, those typically included in a mobile phone, such as a large-sized touch panel liquid crystal display unit, a microphone, a speaker, a proximity sensor, and an internal camera, are not shown for the sake of simplicity.

As shown in fig. 2, the ear-mounted unit 6 includes a short-range communication unit 36 that performs short-range communication with the short-range communication unit 26 of the mobile phone 10 and the short-range communication unit 12 of the in-home monitoring unit 8. The mastication sensor 38 detects the movement of the tragus or the like of the caretaker or the deformation of the external auditory canal caused by the mastication movement of the caretaker, thereby detecting the presence/absence of mastication of the caretaker. The mastication sensor 38 includes, for example, a strain gauge, a piezoelectric element, and the like. When a chewing motion is detected, the control unit 40 informs the mobile phone 10 of the effect through the short-range communication unit 36 and the short-range communication unit 26. If no chewing motion expected in daily life is detected, the control unit 40 judges that there is a possibility of abnormality, and notifies the mobile phone 10 and the in-home monitoring unit 8 of the effect through the short-range communication unit 26 and the short-range communication unit 12, respectively, using the short-range communication unit 36.

The ear-mounted unit 6 includes a cartilage conduction vibration source 42 (which is, for example, a piezoelectric bimorph element) that vibrates in accordance with a voice signal of the call partner received from the mobile phone 10 via short-range communication, and this vibration is transmitted to the ear cartilage in contact with the ear-mounted unit 6, and this makes it possible to hear the voice of the phone call partner by cartilage conduction, which will be described later. The bone conduction microphone 44 captures the bone-conducted own voice of the caregiver and transmits a voice signal of the own voice to the mobile phone 10 via short-range communication, and this enables conversation. In this way, the ear-mounted unit 6 functions as a headset for the mobile phone 10. Air conduction sound microphone 46 captures the actual air-conducted voice of a conversation partner located close to the caregiver's subject to obtain a voice signal, which causes cartilage conduction vibration source 42 to vibrate. In this way, the ear-mounted unit 6 also functions independently as a hearing aid. The control unit 40 also controls the ear-mounted unit 6 with respect to the headset and hearing aid functions. In the headphone function, as described above, the bone conduction microphone 44 also functions as a voice sensor for seeing whether or not the subject person utters a voice expected in daily life. The power supply unit 48 including a rechargeable battery supplies power to the entire ear-mounted unit 6.

Now, cartilage conduction will be explained. Cartilage conduction is a phenomenon found by the present inventors, and represents such a phenomenon as follows: the vibration conducted to the cartilage (e.g., tragus) around the entrance portion of the external auditory meatus vibrates the surface of the cartilage portion of the external auditory meatus, thereby generating air-conducted sound inside the external auditory meatus. Air-borne sound generated inside the external ear canal enters deeper into the external ear canal and reaches the tympanic membrane. Therefore, most of the sound heard through cartilage conduction is the sound heard via the eardrum. However, the sound heard here via the eardrum is not a normal air conduction sound, i.e., a sound that has entered the external auditory canal from the outside, but an air conduction sound generated inside the external auditory canal.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of an ear for illustrating the cartilage conduction phenomenon described above, and illustrates the relationship between the structure of the ear 4 and the ear-mounted unit 6 used in the present invention. The arrow 52 indicates a transmission path of the vibration of the ear-mounted unit 6 caused to vibrate by the cartilage conduction vibration source 42. The vibration generated from the ear-mounted unit 6 is first conducted from the contact portion to the cartilage 54 around the entrance portion of the external acoustic meatus as indicated by an arrow 52. The vibration of the cartilage 54 generates an air conduction sound inside the external auditory canal from its surface (cartilage portion of the external auditory canal). The air conduction sound then enters the external ear canal deeper and reaches the tympanic membrane 50 via the external ear canal bony portions 56. Here, as shown by an arrow 58 (which indicates a path of a normal audible sound), an air conduction sound from the outside enters the external auditory meatus via the hole 6a of the ear-mounted unit 6. And to the tympanic membrane 50. This contributes to comfortable wearing of the ear-mounted unit 6 without a feeling of obstruction in the external auditory meatus.

Fig. 4 is a graph illustrating an example of measurement data showing the effect of cartilage conduction. The graph of fig. 4 illustrates, in relation to frequency, the sound pressure within the external auditory canal at a position within 1cm from the entrance portion of the external auditory canal when the surface of the outer wall of the vibration body caused to vibrate by the cartilage conduction vibration source is brought into contact with at least a portion of the ear cartilage around the entrance portion of the external auditory canal without being in contact with the helix. In the graph, the vertical axis represents sound pressure (in dBSPL), and the horizontal axis represents frequency (in Hz) on a logarithmic scale. Regarding the contact pressure relationship between the surface of the outer wall of the vibration body and the cartilage around the inlet portion of the external acoustic meatus, the graph illustrates the sound pressure during the non-contact state (in a state where only the air conduction sound generated from the surface of the outer wall of the vibration body can be heard) using a solid line, illustrates the sound pressure at a contact pressure of 10 grams using a short dashed line, illustrates the sound pressure at a contact pressure of 250 grams using a one-dot chain line, and illustrates the sound pressure at a contact pressure of 500 grams using a two-dot chain line. As shown in the figure, the sound pressure increases as the contact pressure increases from the non-contact state to 10 grams of the contact pressure, and further increases as the contact pressure increases to 250 grams, and then, the sound pressure increases more as the contact pressure further increases to 500 grams.

As can be readily understood from the graph of fig. 4, when the surface of the outer wall of the vibration body is brought into contact with at least a part of the auricular cartilage around the inlet portion of the external auditory meatus without being in contact with the helix, the sound pressure at a position within 1cm from the inlet portion of the external auditory meatus is increased by at least 10dB in the dominant frequency range of the voice (500Hz to 2300Hz) as compared with the non-contact state (see and compare the non-contact state indicated by the solid line with the state indicated by the one-dot chain line).

It can also be easily understood from the graph of fig. 4 that when the surface of the outer wall of the vibration body is brought into contact with at least a part of the auricular cartilage around the entrance portion of the external auditory meatus without being in contact with the helix, the sound pressure at a position within 1cm from the entrance portion of the external auditory meatus changes by at least 5dB in the dominant frequency range (500Hz to 2500Hz) of the voice as the contact pressure changes (see and compare the light contact state indicated by the short dashed line with the state indicated by the one-dot chain line).

As is apparent from the above description, even when the ear mount unit 6 does not have a structure for generating air conduction sound, such as a vibration plate included in a typical earphone, it is possible to obtain sufficient sound pressure by transmitting the vibration of the cartilage conduction vibration source 42 to the ear cartilage by bringing the cartilage conduction vibration source 42 into contact with the ear cartilage. As is also apparent from the above description, since it is not necessary to provide a structure for generating air conduction sound, the ear-mounted unit 6 can be formed into a ring shape having, for example, the hole 6a, and this makes it possible to hear external sound through the hole 6a even when the ear-mounted unit 6 is mounted to the ear, and this contributes to comfortable wearing of the ear-mounted unit 6 without a feeling of obstruction in the external auditory meatus.

Further, as can be easily understood from the graph of FIG. 4, when the inlet portion of the external auditory meatus is closed by bringing the surface of the outer wall of the vibration body into close contact with at least a part of the auricular cartilage (the data of FIG. 4 is actually obtained by performing measurement in the case where the inlet of the external auditory meatus is closed by bending the tragus by pressing the surface of the outer wall of the vibration body against the tragus from the outside), the sound pressure at a position within 1cm from the inlet portion of the external auditory meatus increases by at least 20dB in the dominant frequency range (300Hz to 1800Hz) of the voice. This is caused by the occlusion effect (see and compare the non-contact state indicated by the solid line with the state in which the external auditory meatus indicated by the two-dot chain line is closed).

The measurements illustrated in fig. 4 were all made at a constant output of the cartilage conduction vibration source. With regard to fig. 4, for measurement performed with the surface of the outer wall of the vibration body in contact with at least a part of the auricular cartilage around the entrance portion of the external auditory meatus without contacting the helix, the surface of the outer wall of the vibration body is brought into contact with at least a part of the auricular cartilage from the outside of the tragus. In addition, for the measurement performed with the external auditory canal closed, the closed state of the external auditory canal is caused by strongly pressing the tragus from the outside to bend the tragus as described above.

In the first embodiment, the clogging effect as described above can be achieved by closing the hole 6a and increasing the contact pressure of the ear-mounted unit 6 against the cartilage by pushing the ear-mounted unit 6 with a finger placed on the hole 6 a. Or, alternatively, by covering the entire ear 4 with the palm of the hand, an occlusion effect can be achieved. It is therefore apparent that in the first embodiment, it is also possible to hear a larger sound by closing the hole 6a with a finger or completely covering the ear with a palm.

The measurement profile of fig. 4 is merely an example; when further observed (scraping), there were individual differences. Further, in order to simplify and normalize the phenomenon, the values shown in the measurement graph of fig. 1 are obtained by performing measurement in a state where the surface of the outer wall of the vibration body is in contact with only a small surface area outside the tragus. However, the increase of the sound pressure caused by the contact with the cartilage also depends on the area of the contact, and in the case where the surface of the outer wall is in contact with the auricular cartilage around the entrance portion of the external auditory meatus without contacting the helix, when the surface of the outer wall of the vibration body is in contact with a portion of the cartilage wider than around the entrance portion of the external auditory meatus, the increase of the sound pressure is further improved. In view of the above facts, the values shown in the measurement graph of fig. 4 have generality in explaining the configuration using cartilage conduction, and can be reproduced by many and unspecified subjects. Further, the measurement graph of fig. 4 is drawn by plotting a value obtained by performing measurement in a case where the tragus is pressed from the outside to thereby increase the contact pressure and fold the tragus when closing the inlet portion of the external auditory meatus, but a similar result may also be obtained in a case where the outer wall of the vibrating body is pressed into the inlet portion of the external auditory meatus to close the external auditory meatus.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the function of the control unit 40 of the ear-mounted unit 6 in the care system of the first embodiment. The flow starts when the ear-mounted unit 6 connected to a charger for charging, not shown, is disconnected from the charger. When the flow starts, in step S2, it is checked whether pairing for short-range communication with the mobile phone 10 has been set, and when it is not found that pairing has been set, pairing is automatically set. Next, in step S4, the air conduction microphone 46 and the bone conduction microphone 44 are turned on. Thereby, the ear-mounted unit 6 starts to function as a hearing aid, and also brings the bone conduction microphone 44 into a standby state in which it waits for detection of the voice of the caregiver. Here, although omitted in the flow, the mastication sensor 38 is always in an ON (ON) state from the start to the end of the flow and in a standby state thereof waiting for mastication detection.

Next, in step S6, it is checked whether the masticatory sensor 38 has detected masticatory movement. When it is found that the chewing motion has been detected, the process proceeds to step S8, a detection signal is transmitted to the mobile phone 10 via short-range communication in step S8, and the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when it is not found in step S6 that the chewing motion has been detected, the process directly proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, it is checked whether the bone conduction microphone 44 has detected the voice of the caretaker. When it is found that the voice of the subject person has been detected, the process proceeds to step S14, and the detected voice signal is transmitted to the mobile phone 10 via short-range communication, while the detected voice signal is transmitted to the in-home monitoring unit 8 via short-range communication in step S16. Although the steps from step S12 to step S16 are illustrated in a simplified manner, in these steps, actually, the voice signal continues to be transmitted from the bone conduction microphone 44 to the mobile phone 10 and the in-home monitoring unit 8 simultaneously within a predetermined period of time (e.g., 10 seconds) after the bone conduction microphone 44 starts detecting voice. At this time, even when the voice continues to be detected for a predetermined period of time or longer, the transmission is stopped upon the elapse of the predetermined period of time, and even if the voice disappears before the elapse of the predetermined period of time, the transmission of the output of the bone conduction microphone 44 continues to be performed until the elapse of the predetermined period of time. The above-described transmission of the voice signal continued for the predetermined period of time by the steps from step S12 to step S16 ends. The process proceeds to step S20. On the other hand, when no voice signal is detected in step S12, the process proceeds directly to step S20.

In step S20, it is checked whether the caregiver has operated the mobile phone 10 to make a phone call and the other party has answered the phone call, or whether there has been an external incoming call received by the mobile phone 10 and the caregiver has operated the mobile phone 10 to answer the incoming call. If it is found that which of the above has occurred, the process proceeds to step S22, the air conduction microphone 46 is turned off while the bone conduction microphone 44 is maintained in the on state in step S22, and then the process proceeds to step S24. Thereby, the ear-mounted unit 6 starts to function as a headset for the mobile phone 10 and prevents ambient noise from being picked up by the air conduction microphone 46 to disturb the phone call.

In step S24, it is checked whether the phone call started in step S20 has ended by hanging up the phone. Then, when it is detected that the telephone call has ended, the process proceeds to step S26, the air conduction microphone 46 is turned on and the bone conduction microphone 44 is maintained in the on state in step S26, and the process proceeds to step S28. Thereby, the ear-mounted unit 6 starts to function as a hearing aid again, and the bone conduction microphone 44 is maintained in its standby state waiting for detection of the voice of the caregiver. On the other hand, when it is found in step S24 that the telephone call has not ended, step S24 is repeated until the end of the telephone call is detected. Further, in the case where neither making nor receiving of the telephone call and answering the telephone call is detected in step S20, the process proceeds directly to step S28.

In step S28, it is checked whether the storage battery of the power supply unit 48 has been exhausted. When the storage battery is found not to be depleted, the process proceeds to step S30, and it is checked in step S30 whether the ear-mounted unit 6 has been connected to a charger, not shown, for charging. This step is provided to cope with a case where the ear-mounted unit 6 is removed from the ear 4 for charging even if the battery has not been exhausted. When connection for charging is detected in step S30, the process proceeds to step S32, and an end process is executed in step S32 to end the flow. This is significant because it helps to prevent the ear-mounted unit 6 from being erroneously maintained in an operative state when it is removed from the ear 4, and thus its nursing function is disabled. On the other hand, when the connection for charging is not detected in step S30, the process returns to step S6 to repeat the steps from step S6 to step S30 until the storage battery becomes depleted or the connection for charging is achieved, and the ear-mounted unit 6 maintains its hearing aid function, nursing function, and headphone function for the mobile phone 10 as needed. Here, in the case where it is detected in step S28 that the storage battery has run out, the process also proceeds to step S32, and in step S32, an end process is executed to end the flow.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the functions of the control unit 30 of the mobile phone 10 in the first embodiment. Note that fig. 6 illustrates the flow by extracting the operation of the function related to nursing, and therefore, in the mobile phone 10, the control unit 30 has an operation not described in the flow of fig. 6, such as an operation related to the normal mobile phone function of the mobile phone 10. The hardware configuration itself of the mobile phone 10 is a hardware configuration generally employed in mobile phones, and the functions extracted in fig. 6 are installed in the ear-mount unit 6 as accessory software.

The flow of fig. 6 starts when the power switch of the mobile phone 10 is turned on, and in step S42, the normal mobile phone mode is set. Next, in step S44, a check is performed for the status of pairing for short-range communication with the ear-mounted unit 6. When it is found that pairing has been achieved, care can be performed by the mobile phone 10 in cooperation with the ear-mounted unit 6, and thus the process proceeds to step S46.

In step S46, it is checked whether a new chewing detection signal has been received from the ear-mounted unit 6, and when it is found that a new chewing detection signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S48, and an e-mail that notifies the caregiver of safety is automatically transmitted to the mobile phone of the caregiver' S family member or the like that lives farther and has been registered in advance in step S48. Further, it is possible to set in advance: in step S48, instead of sending an e-mail, an automatic telephone call is made to a mobile phone of a family member or the like who lives far away and has registered in advance of the subject, and upon receiving a response from the mobile phone, an automatic voice message is transmitted to notify him/her that the subject is safe. It may also be arranged so that both an e-mail is sent and a telephone call is made. Regarding the detection that occurs substantially three times a day and thus can be considered as less frequent chewing, each time a chewing detection signal is detected, a family member or the like of the caregiver who lives farther is notified that the caregiver is safe, thereby being relieved. Here, when a family member or the like of the care-target person who resides far away feels bored due to such a safety notice, it may be set in advance to omit step S48.

Next, the process proceeds to step S50, in step S50, the reception history of the mastication detection signal stored in the storage unit 32 is updated together with the time and date information point based on the reception of a new mastication detection signal, and the GPS signal at that time point is also stored in the storage unit 32, and then the process proceeds to step S52. On the other hand, when the reception of the mastication detection signal is not confirmed in step S46, the process directly proceeds to step S52.

In step S52, it is checked whether a new mastication detection signal has been received within a predetermined period of time after the reception of the previous mastication detection signal, based on the reception history stored in the storage unit 32. When it is found that a new chew detection signal is not received within a predetermined period of time, the process proceeds to step S54, an automatic phone call is made to a mobile phone of a family member or the like that lives farther and has been registered in advance of the caregiver subject person in step S54, and upon receiving a response to the phone call, an automatic voice message for the effect of the possibility that there is an abnormality is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S56. Further, in step S54, based on the GPS information obtained at that time, another automatic voice message is transmitted to notify the current position of the caregiver. On the other hand, in step S52, when it is confirmed from the reception history that a new chewing detection signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S56.

In step S56, it is checked whether a voice signal picked up by the bone conduction microphone 44 of the ear-mounted unit 6 has been received. When it is found that such a voice signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S58, and in step S58, it is checked whether the received voice is a scream or a help (urgent) based on the content of the recognized voice signal (such as words included in the voice signal), the strength of the voice signal, the tone pattern, and the like. When there is a high possibility that the voice is a scream or a help is solicited (when it is judged that it is a highly urgent situation), the process proceeds to step S60, an automatic phone call is made to a mobile phone of a family member or the like of the caretaker who lives far away and has registered in advance in step S60, and upon receiving a response to the phone call, the received voice itself is transmitted to the mobile phone, and then the process proceeds to step S62. On the other hand, in step S58, when it is determined that the received voice is not a scream or a speech for solicited help, but is merely a voice of a normal conversation (having low urgency), the process directly proceeds to step S62.

In step S62, it is checked whether the received voice signal was received in a period previously set based on a regular life pattern (e.g., a period when the caretaker normally shops, a period when the caretaker normally recites). When the result of the check is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S64, in step S64, an e-mail is automatically transmitted to the mobile phone of a family member or the like that resides farther away and has been registered in advance of the caregiver to notify him/her that the caregiver is safe, and the process proceeds to step S66. On the other hand, in step S62, when it is found that the received voice signal is not received in the previously set period, the process directly proceeds to step S66. Here, the same setting as step S48 is also possible, that is, instead of or together with the e-mail, an automatic telephone call can be made and an automatic voice message can be transmitted. In addition, when a family member or the like of the care-target person who lives far away feels bored due to such a safety notification, steps S62 and S64 may be set so as to be omitted. The message to be transmitted in step S64 is not a voice signal actually picked up by the bone conduction microphone 44, but is a message notifying only the fact that a voice signal has been received. Therefore, contrary to step S60, the contents of the dialog of the caregiver are not heard, and thus the privacy of the caregiver is protected.

In step S66, the reception history of the voice signal stored in the storage unit 32 is updated together with the time and date information based on the reception of the new voice signal, and the GPS signal at that point in time is also stored in the storage unit 32, and the process proceeds to step S68. On the other hand, in a case where the reception of the sound signal picked up by the bone conduction microphone 44 is not confirmed in step S56, the process proceeds directly to step S68.

In step S68, it is checked whether a new voice signal has been received within a predetermined period of time after the reception of the previous voice signal, based on the reception history stored in the storage unit 32. When a new voice signal is not received within a predetermined period of time, the process proceeds to step S70, an automatic phone call is made to a mobile phone of a family member or the like that lives far away and has been registered in advance of the caregiver subject person in step S70, and upon receiving a response to the phone call, an automatic voice message for the effect of the possibility that there is an abnormality is transmitted, and then the process proceeds to step S72. In step S70, another automatic voice message is transmitted to notify the current position of the caregiver, also based on the GPS information obtained at that time. On the other hand, when it is confirmed in step S68 that a new voice signal has been received within the predetermined period of time, the process directly proceeds to step S72. Here, in the case where the setting of the pairing with the ear-mounted unit 6 is not confirmed in step S44, the process proceeds directly to step S72, the step for nursing is not performed, and the mobile phone 10 functions as a normal mobile phone.

In step S72, it is checked whether the storage battery of the power supply unit 34 has been exhausted. When it is found that the battery is not depleted, the process returns to step S44, and then the steps from step S44 to step S72 are repeated until the depletion of the battery is detected, so that the mobile phone 10 copes with various situations in nursing. On the other hand, in the case where it is found in step S72 that the storage battery has been depleted, the process proceeds to step S74, and an end process is executed in step S74 to end the flow.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the function of the control unit 16 of the in-home monitoring unit 8 in the first embodiment. The process begins when the in-home monitoring unit 8 is placed and connected to a household power source or the power to the in-home monitoring unit 8 is turned on. Then, in step S82, an always-on connection to the internet is automatically set for communication with the care service provider, and an automatic test is performed to check cooperation with the ear-mounted unit 6 such as short-range communication, and the process proceeds to step S84.

In step S84, it is checked whether the state of the proximity communication with the ear-mounted unit 6 has transitioned from the enabled state to the disabled state. This is equivalent to checking whether the caregiver has come within a range where short-range communication is not available. When it is found that such a transition of the state has not occurred, the process proceeds to step S86, and in step S86, it is checked whether the state of the short-range communication with the headphone unit 6 has transitioned from the disabled state to the enabled state. This is equivalent to checking whether the care-giver has come back within the short-range communication range. When it is found that the transition of this state has occurred, the process proceeds to step S88, and in step S88, an e-mail is automatically transmitted to the mobile phone of a family member or the like that lives farther and has been registered in advance of the caregiver to notify him/her that the caregiver has come home.

Further, in step S90, automatic short-range communication is performed with the mobile phone 10, and processing is performed to confirm that the state of short-range communication has transitioned back to the state of the system configuration shown in fig. 2. This process is performed because it can be assumed that the mobile phone 10 is carried by the caretaker when he/she is outside a range where short-range communication is not possible. In step S90, if short-range communication with the mobile phone 10 is not possible in any case, a notification of the effect is issued to the mobile phones of the care service provider and the family members of the care-target person who live far away, and the like.

Further, in step S90, cross-checking of the reception history from the ear-mounted unit 6 and information exchange are performed between the storage unit 18 of the in-residence monitoring unit 8 and the storage unit 32 of the mobile phone 10 so that the information in the storage unit 18 and the information in the storage unit 32 match each other. This applies primarily to the case where the care-giver is outside and the in-home monitoring unit 8 cannot receive signals from the ear-mounted unit 6, during which time information cannot be received from the in-home monitoring unit 8 and, therefore, from the mobile telephone 10. This helps to prevent the following inconvenience: for example, although a signal has been transmitted from the ear-mounted unit 6, in the case where no signal has been transmitted from the ear-mounted unit 6 for a predetermined period of time or longer, the in-home monitoring unit 8 erroneously recognizes an abnormal state. The function of matching information in two storage units by cross checking as described above is also useful as a measure against the case where: the battery of the mobile phone 10 has been depleted while the mobile phone 10 is in the residence 2, so no information is received from the ear-mounted unit 6 until the battery is recharged.

When the process in step S90 is completed, the process proceeds to step S92, and in step S92, it is checked whether a new mastication detection signal has been received from the ear-mounted unit 6. When it is found that a new mastication detection signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S94, in step S94, the reception history of the mastication detection signal stored in the storage unit 18 is updated together with the time and date information based on the reception of the new mastication detection signal, and the process proceeds to step S96. On the other hand, when the reception of a new mastication detection signal cannot be confirmed in step S92, the process proceeds directly to step S96.

In step S96, it is checked whether a new mastication detection signal has been received within a predetermined period of time after the reception of the previous mastication detection signal, based on the reception history stored in the storage unit 18. When a new chewing detection signal is not received within a predetermined period of time, the process proceeds to step S98, an automatic notification of the effect on the possibility of the presence of an abnormality is issued to a nursing service provider with which a contract has been made in advance in step S98, and then the process proceeds to step S100. On the other hand, when it is confirmed from the reception history of the mastication detection signal that a new mastication detection signal has been received within the predetermined period of time in step S96, it is determined that no abnormality has occurred, and the process directly proceeds to step S100.

In step S100, it is checked whether a voice signal picked up by the bone conduction microphone 44 of the ear-mounted unit 6 has been received. When it is found that such a voice signal has been received, the process proceeds to step S102, and in step S102, it is checked whether the received voice is a scream, a distress sound, or the like, based on recognition of a voice in the content (words included therein, or the like) of the voice signal, the intensity pattern, the pitch, or the like of the voice signal. When there is a high possibility that the voice is a scream or a distress sound, the process proceeds to step S104, in step S104, the received voice itself is transmitted to the care service provider, and the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S102 that the received voice is neither a screaming call nor a distress sound, but a voice of a normal conversation, the process directly proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, the reception history of the voice signal stored in the storage unit 18 is updated together with the time and data information based on the reception of a new voice signal, and the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, when the reception of the voice signal picked up by the bone conduction microphone 44 is not confirmed in step S100, the process proceeds directly to step S108.

In step S108, it is checked whether a new voice signal has been received within a predetermined period of time after the reception of the previous voice signal, based on the reception history of the voice signal stored in the storage unit 18. When it is found that a new voice signal is not received within the predetermined period of time, the process proceeds to step S110, an automatic notification of the effect on the possibility that there is an abnormality is issued to the care service provider in step S110, and then the process proceeds to step S112. On the other hand, when it is confirmed in step S108 that a new voice signal has been received within a predetermined period of time based on the reception history, the process directly proceeds to step S112. Here, when it is detected in step S84 that the state of the proximity communication with the ear-mounted unit 6 has transitioned from the enabled state to the disabled state, the process proceeds to step S114, in which step S114 an email is automatically transmitted to a mobile phone of a family member or the like of the caregiver that lives far and that has been registered in advance to notify him/her that the caregiver has gone out, and then the step proceeds to step S112. In this case, since it is impossible to receive a signal from the ear-mounted unit 6 and thus nursing cannot be performed, the mobile phone 10 carried by the person to be cared is entrusted with performing the nursing function, and the in-home monitoring unit 8 does not perform the nursing function.

In step S112, it is checked whether or not the power of the in-home monitoring unit 8 has been turned off. The turning off of the power to the in-home monitoring unit 8 includes a power disconnection caused by a power failure or the like. When it is found that the power is not turned off, the process returns to step S84, and then, as long as the power is not turned off, the steps from step S84 to step S114 are repeated, and the in-home monitoring unit 8 copes with various situations in nursing. On the other hand, when the shutdown of the power is detected in step S112, the process proceeds to step S116, and in step S116, an end process is executed to end the flow.

Second embodiment

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a second embodiment according to an aspect of the present invention. According to a second embodiment, a care system for caring for in a home includes a spectacle-type earmounted unit 106. Other features are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, so common features are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description thereof will not be repeated. In fig. 8, the home 2 and the in-home monitoring unit 8 are not illustrated for simplicity, but the configuration thereof is the same as that of the first embodiment described in fig. 1 and 2.

According to the present invention, the cartilage conduction vibration source, the bone conduction microphone, and the mastication sensor may be formed of piezoelectric elements, and thus one piezoelectric element may serve as the cartilage conduction vibration source, the bone conduction microphone, and the mastication sensor. In the second embodiment shown in fig. 8, the piezoelectric bimorph element 142 serving as a cartilage conduction vibration source, a bone conduction microphone, and a mastication sensor is formed in a portion of the temples (temples) such that: this part rests on the cartilage in the root of the ear 4 when the spectacles are worn. With this configuration, the vibration of the piezoelectric bimorph element 142 is conducted to the cartilage at the root of the ear 4 to cause cartilage conduction. In addition, speech through bone conduction is picked up by the piezoelectric bimorph element 142. Furthermore, the movements caused by chewing of the part close to the heel of the ear 4 are also detected by the piezoelectric bimorph element 142. When the piezoelectric bimorph element 142 is used for a plurality of functions, extraction and separation of signals fed to and output from the piezoelectric bimorph element 142 are realized by signal processing performed by the control unit 140. When the piezoelectric bimorph element 142 is used for a plurality of functions, the air conduction microphone 46, which is originally provided for the purpose of picking up the voice of a conversation partner for the function of a hearing aid, is used to pick up the voice of the caregiver himself through air conduction, and the picked-up voice is used as information for extracting and separating signals fed to and output from the piezoelectric bimorph element 142. In the second embodiment, the entrance of the external auditory canal is also kept open, so that external sounds can be heard and comfortable wearing of the ear-mounted unit 106 is achieved without a feeling of obstruction in the external auditory canal. Further, by closing the entrance of the external auditory meatus with a finger or completely covering the ear 4 with a palm, a blocking effect in cartilage conduction can be obtained, so that a larger sound can be heard.

The various features of the embodiments described above may be implemented not only in those specific embodiments, but also in any other embodiments as long as they provide their advantages. In addition, various features of the embodiments may be implemented with various modifications. The modified features may be implemented in suitable combinations with each other and unmodified features.

For example, in the configuration of the first embodiment, one piezoelectric bimorph element may be used for the functions of the cartilage conduction vibration source, the bone conduction microphone, and the masticatory sensor, as in the second embodiment. Or, conversely, in the second embodiment, the cartilage conduction vibration source, the bone conduction microphone, and the mastication sensor may be formed as optimally separate elements to be optimally disposed at the dispersed locations.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a bone conduction microphone is employed to pick up the voice of the subject, but an air conduction sound microphone (for example, the air conduction microphone 46 also used for this purpose) may be used for this purpose.

Conclusive description: the following is a conclusive description of the features of the embodiments disclosed herein.

According to one embodiment disclosed herein, a care system is provided that includes a care detection device and a care notification device. The nursing detection device has a cartilage conduction vibration source and a nursing detection sensor, and is mountable to the ear with the entrance of the external ear canal open. The nursing notification device receives nursing information from the nursing detection sensor by performing short-range communication with the nursing detection device. This facilitates comfortable wearing of the care detection device.

According to a particular feature, the nursing detection device has an air conduction microphone and functions as a hearing aid by vibrating a cartilage conduction vibration source according to a voice signal picked up by the air conduction microphone. This makes it possible to perform nursing by using a hearing aid for everyday use. According to another specific feature, the nursing detection means vibrates the cartilage conduction vibration source according to a voice signal received from the nursing notification means via short-range communication. This makes it possible to perform nursing by using a device, such as a mobile phone, through which a voice signal received from another device can be heard.

According to another particular feature, the nursing detection sensor is a masticatory movement sensor. According to another particular feature, the care detection sensor is a voice sensor. For example, the voice sensor is a bone conduction microphone or an air conduction sound microphone.

According to another particular feature, the care notification means issues a notification when it has not been possible to receive the detection signal within a predetermined period of time.

According to another embodiment disclosed herein, there is provided a care system including a care detection device and a plurality of care notification devices, each care notification device receiving care information from the care detection device via short-range communication with the care detection device. The plurality of nursing notification apparatuses exchange the received nursing information with each other. This makes it possible to cope with a missing part in care information received by one care notification apparatus by sharing care information received by other care notification apparatuses, thus preventing confusion from occurring among a plurality of care notification apparatuses.

According to another embodiment disclosed herein, there is provided a care system including a care detection device and a plurality of care notification devices, each care notification device receiving care information from the care detection device via short-range communication with the care detection device. The plurality of nursing notification devices issue different notifications based on the nursing information. This makes it possible to perform nursing in a manner suitable for each of a plurality of nursing notification apparatuses whose attributes are different from each other. According to a particular feature, the plurality of care notification devices includes a mobile phone placed in a home and a notification device.

According to another embodiment disclosed herein, there is provided a care system including a care detection device having a voice sensor, and a care notification device that receives care information from the care detection sensor via short-range communication with the care detection device. The nursing notification apparatus issues a notification of whether or not there is a voice signal picked up by the voice sensor, without issuing any notification of the content of the voice signal. This helps to protect the privacy of the caretaker. According to a specific feature, the care notifying means judges the urgency of the voice signal picked up by the voice sensor, and when the urgency is high, the content of the voice signal is exceptionally notified. This makes it possible to obtain a specific notification in the original speech if a screaming or distress sound has been received.

According to another embodiment disclosed herein, there is provided a nursing detection device including a cartilage conduction vibration source and a nursing detection sensor, and the nursing detection device is mountable to an ear with an entrance of an external ear canal open. This facilitates comfortable wearing of the care detection device.

According to a particular feature, the nursing detection device has an air conduction microphone and functions as a hearing aid by vibrating a cartilage conduction vibration source according to a voice signal picked up by the air conduction microphone. According to another specific feature, the nursing detection device vibrates the cartilage conduction vibration source in accordance with the voice signal received from the nursing notification device via short-range communication, thereby functioning as a device such as a mobile phone through which a voice signal received from another device can be heard.

According to another particular feature, the nursing detection sensor is a masticatory movement sensor. According to other particular features, the masticatory motion sensor may also act as a cartilage conduction vibration source. According to another particular feature, the care detection sensor is a voice sensor. More specifically, the voice sensor is a bone conduction microphone. More specifically, the bone conduction microphone may also serve as a cartilage conduction vibration source.

According to another particular feature, the care detection sensor comprises an air conducting acoustic microphone for the hearing aid, and the air conducting acoustic microphone is switched off when the bone conducting microphone is used. According to another particular feature, the speech sensor is an air conduction acoustic microphone.

According to another embodiment disclosed herein, there is provided a nursing notification apparatus having: an acquisition unit that acquires care information from the voice sensor; and a notification unit that issues a notification of whether or not there is a voice signal acquired by the acquisition unit without issuing any notification of the content of the voice signal. This helps to protect the privacy of the caretaker. According to a specific feature, the notification unit judges the urgency of the voice signal picked up by the voice sensor, and exceptionally notifies the content of the voice signal when the urgency is high.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention is suitable for nursing systems, nursing detection equipment and nursing notification equipment.

List of reference numerals

42 cartilage conduction vibration source

38. 44, 46 nursing detection sensor

6. 106 nursing detection device

12. 26, 36 short-range communication unit

8. 10 nursing notification apparatus

46 air conduction microphone

38 chewing motion sensor

44. 46 voice sensor

44 bone conduction microphone

46 air conduction sound microphone

8. Nursing notification device with 10 units

10 Mobile telephone

8 Notification device placed in a dwelling

142 chewing motion sensor also acting as a cartilage conduction vibration source

142 bone conduction microphone also serving as a cartilage conduction vibration source

Claims (20)

1. A nursing detection device comprising:

a cartilage conduction vibration source; and

care detection sensor, wherein

The nursing detection sensor can be mounted to the ear with the entrance of the external ear canal open.

2. The nursing detection device of claim 1, further comprising an air conduction microphone, wherein

The nursing detecting device functions as a hearing aid by vibrating the cartilage conduction vibration source according to a voice signal picked up by the air conduction microphone.

3. The nursing detection device of claim 1, further comprising a short-range communication unit capable of communicating with the nursing notification device, wherein

The nursing detection device vibrates the cartilage conduction vibration source according to the voice signal received from the nursing notification device via the short-distance communication unit.

4. The nursing detection device of claim 1, wherein the nursing detection sensor is a masticatory motion sensor.

5. The nursing detection device of claim 4, wherein the masticatory motion sensor also acts as the cartilage conduction vibration source.

6. The caregiver detection device of claim 1 wherein the caregiver detection sensor is a voice sensor.

7. The nursing detection device of claim 6, wherein the voice sensor is a bone conduction microphone.

8. The nursing detection device of claim 7, wherein the bone conduction microphone also serves as the cartilage conduction vibration source.

9. The nursing detection device of claim 7, further comprising an air conduction microphone for hearing aid function, wherein

When the bone conduction microphone is used, the air conduction microphone is turned off.

10. A care system comprising:

the care detection device of claim 1; and

a care notification device that receives care information from the care detection sensor via short-range communication with the care detection device.

11. The care system of claim 10, wherein

The nursing detection sensor is a voice sensor, and the nursing notification device issues a notification of whether or not there is a voice signal picked up by the voice sensor, without issuing any notification of the content of the voice signal.

12. The care system of claim 11, wherein

The nursing notification device judges the urgency of the voice signal picked up by the voice sensor, and exceptionally issues a notification of the content of the voice signal when the urgency is high.

13. The care system of claim 10, wherein

The nursing notification device issues a notification when a detection signal has not been received from the nursing detection sensor within a predetermined period of time.

14. The care system of claim 10, wherein

The nursing notification apparatus includes a plurality of nursing notification apparatuses each of which receives nursing information from the same nursing detection apparatus, and exchanges the received nursing information with each other.

15. The care system of claim 10, wherein

The nursing notification device is a mobile phone, and a voice signal of a call partner received by the mobile phone is transmitted to the nursing detection device via short-distance communication to vibrate the cartilage conduction vibration source.

16. A care system comprising:

a care detection device; and

a plurality of care notification devices, each care notification device receiving care information from the care detection device via short-range communication with the care detection device, wherein

The plurality of nursing notification apparatuses exchange the received nursing information with each other.

17. The care system of claim 16 wherein the plurality of care notification devices issue different notifications based on the care information.

18. The care system of claim 16 wherein the plurality of care notification devices comprise a mobile phone and a notification device placed in a home.

19. A nursing notification apparatus comprising:

an acquisition unit that acquires care information from the voice sensor; and

a notification unit that issues a notification of whether or not there is a voice signal acquired by the acquisition unit, without issuing any notification of the content of the voice signal.

20. The nursing notification device of claim 19, wherein

The notification unit judges the urgency of the voice signal acquired by the acquisition unit, and exceptionally issues a notification of the content of the voice signal when the urgency is high.