JP2003339674A - Method for estimating sleeping stage, and device using the method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for performing estimation in real-time with precision by a nominal measure concerning to which stage the present sleeping stage belongs among the six stages of sleeping being an international standard through the use of biological information unrestricted and also to provide a device using the method. <P>SOLUTION: The sleeping stages are identified by the nominal measure based on heartbeat change information and movement information of a living body which are measured by an unrestricted biological sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention non-invasively, unrestrained, and unconsciously measures the sleep state of a sleeping subject, and identifies a sleep stage that complies with the international standard of 6 stages on a nominal scale. The present invention relates to a sleep stage estimation method and an estimation device using the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The quality and quantity of sleep have a great influence on the physical and mental health of humans. If the sleep state can be measured with high accuracy in a non-invasive, unrestrained and unconscious manner, it can be applied not only to the diagnostic information of the doctor but also to the health monitor at home and the more comfortable operation of the elderly care support device while sleeping. Next to
Its significance is great.

For these purposes, the results of research and development conventionally performed and the prior application technology will be described. 17 and 18 are the VOL.
36, No. 11, P894-P900, “Practical research on air mattress-type unrestrained biometric measurement”, which is a waveform diagram of a biometric information collecting device and measurement data by unrestrained sensor means.

In FIG. 17, 1 is an air mattress designed so that the internal pressure change can be taken out to the outside, 2 is an ordinary troupe laid on it, and 3 is a subject who is sleeping on the troupe. .

Reference numeral 4 denotes an unrestrained sensor means, which is specifically realized by a high-bandwidth and high-sensitivity pressure sensor, and detects a minute pressure fluctuation in the air mattress 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes a filter means, which includes a low frequency band filter 5a, a medium frequency band filter 5b, a high frequency band filter 5c, and a gain controller for the output of each filter.

The low-frequency band filter 5a extracts respiration information from the pressure fluctuation signal and outputs it to the signal processing unit 8 via the gain controller. The filter 5b in the middle frequency band detects the heartbeat (Heart beatin) from the pressure fluctuation signal.
g) The fluctuation information is extracted and output to the signal processing unit 8 via the gain controller and the rectifying / smoothing circuit 6. The filter 5c in the high frequency band snores from the pressure fluctuation signal.
Information is extracted and gain controller and rectification smoothing circuit 7
And output to the signal processing unit 8.

FIG. 18 is a waveform diagram of measurement data obtained as a result of the processing of the signal processing unit 8. FIG.
(B) shows heart rate variability information, and (C) shows snoring information. By such signal processing by the unconstrained sensor means and filter means, it is possible to obtain the biological information of the subject without restraint. It should be noted that turning over information can also be extracted from the position where the change in respiratory information has a peak.

FIG. 19 is a collection of papers of the Society of Instrument and Control Engineers VOL.3.
7, No. 9, P821-P828 is a waveform diagram for explaining the technical contents disclosed in "Estimation of sleep stage by unconstrained air mattress type biosensor". In this paper, we focus on the heart rate variability obtained by the filter in the middle frequency band and process the data, and extract the sleep stages that change from the fall of sleep to the awakening as continuous information.

In order to verify the results of this research, FIG. 19 (A) shows six levels (alertness, REM sleep, and REM sleep) measured by the international standard Rechtshaffen & Kales method based on EEG, eye movement, and EMG data. Waveform diagram showing the transition of non-REM sleep stages 1,2,3,4), (B) is a waveform diagram showing the transition of heartbeat variability measured by an unrestrained sensor means. (C) is a waveform diagram continuously representing sleep stages obtained by data processing of the heart rate variability.

As is clear from the comparison between (A) and (C),
The sleep stage information obtained by the unrestrained sensor means shown in (C) and the sleep stage information according to the international standard of (A) have a change tendency that matches with considerable accuracy, and (C) It is possible to estimate the 6 stages of sleep in accordance with international standards, even with the continuous information of.

As an invention disclosed in a prior application relating to a system applying such research results, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
00-215 “Sleep depth determination method and determination device” includes sleep depths (alertness, REM sleep, non-REM sleep 1, 2 and non-REM sleep depending on the level changes of heart rate, respiratory rate, and rolling frequency.
3, 4) is disclosed.

Similarly, a prior application, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-52010.
The “sleeping state monitoring device” has a database that stores the biological data of the sleeping subject obtained by an unrestrained biometric sensor, performs real-time comparison monitoring with the normal state, and detects abnormalities such as apnea. There is disclosed an external monitoring system via a network that can respond to the above.

[0013]

In the prior art based on such continuous information, there is a limit to the accuracy of sleep stage estimation, and as described above, the six stages of sleep that roughly conform to international standards are determined. It is possible to estimate it, but it is difficult to accurately estimate where the current sleep stage is in 6 stages as a discrete category with a so-called nominal scale, and it is used as medical treatment information for doctors. In order to
There is a problem that the quality of information is low.

Further, by using the biometric information obtained without restraint, it is possible to operate and control the care support device so that the elderly who need care can obtain more comfortable sleep while sleeping. However, since it is difficult to obtain highly accurate information on sleep stages, there is a problem that a care support device that can provide a more comfortable sleeping environment cannot be realized.

The first object of the present invention is to use the biological information obtained without restraint and to determine which of the current 6 sleep stages is in accordance with 6 stages of sleep which is an international standard. The purpose is to provide a method for accurate estimation in real time on a realistic scale.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus capable of providing real-time, short-term trend, long-term trend monitoring information or personal service information by utilizing highly accurate biometric information obtained without restraint. .

A third object of the present invention is to operate and control a nursing care support device that provides a more comfortable sleeping environment based on highly accurate sleep stage estimation information using unrestrained biological information. To provide a device for.

[0018]

In order to achieve such an object, the features of the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention are that heartbeat fluctuation information and body movement information of a living body measured by an unrestrained living body sensor. Based on the above, there is a sleep stage estimation method for identifying sleep stages on a nominal scale.

A second aspect of the present invention is a sleep stage estimating method for estimating and calculating the body movement information based on the heart rate variability information.

A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the body movement information is an index value obtained from the variance of the heartbeat variability for each predetermined time, and the index value is used as a nominal scale for REM sleep and halfway awakening information. There is a sleep stage estimation method identified in.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a sleep stage estimating method in which the body movement information is obtained by unconstrained body movement detecting sensor means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the continuous sleep stage information estimated by the dynamic model of the intermediate wave band of the heartbeat variability has a distribution characteristic in which there is a heart rate variability in each stage of sleep. This is a sleep stage estimation method in which the sleep stage is identified by a nominal scale by inputting it into the membership function means using.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a sleep stage estimation method for adding the respiratory information and / or snoring information of the living body as information for identifying a sleep stage on a nominal scale.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a sleep stage estimating method for identifying the sleep stage by a nominal scale into 6 stages which are international standards.

According to a eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided sleep stage identifying means for inputting heartbeat variability information and body movement information of a living body measured by an unrestrained living body sensor and estimating and calculating a sleep stage on a nominal scale. There is a point to have.

A ninth aspect of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a body movement estimation calculation means for estimating the body movement information based on the heartbeat variation information.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, means for obtaining the body movement information as an index value obtained from the variance of the heartbeat variability information for each predetermined time, and REM sleep and halfway awakening information based on the index value And a means for identifying with a nominal scale.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is that the body movement information is obtained from unconstrained body movement detecting sensor means.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, means for estimating continuous sleep stage information by a dynamic model of the intermediate wave band of the heartbeat fluctuation, and heart rate at each stage of sleep based on the continuous sleep stage information. And membership function means for identifying sleep stages on a nominal scale by utilizing the fact that there is a variation in distribution characteristics.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is that the apparatus further comprises means for adding the respiratory information and / or snoring information of the living body as information for identifying a sleep stage on a nominal scale.

A feature of the fourteenth aspect of the present invention resides in that the sleep stage is identified by a nominal scale into six stages which are international standards.

[0032] A feature of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention is to collect the sleep stage information identified by the continuous sleep stage information or the nominal scale by using a signal output from the device according to the eighth aspect. However, it is provided with storage / holding means for outputting in real time and storing and holding for a predetermined period, and monitoring real-time or trend information at a remote location via a site or a network based on the data of the storage / holding means.

The feature of the sixteenth aspect of the present invention is that of the fifteenth aspect.
Using a signal output from the device described, the personal biological information database means for accumulating the predetermined period elapsed information for a long period of time is provided, and based on the data of this database means,
The point is to monitor long-term trend information on site or at a remote location via a network.

A feature of the invention according to claim 17 is that all the transitions of each stage are performed based on the sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale by using a signal output from the device according to any one of claims 8 to 14. Or, it is a point to be automatically issued at the designated transition.

A feature of the eighteenth invention is based on the sleep stage information and the continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale by using the signal output from the device according to the eighth to fourteenth aspects. , It is a point to be automatically issued when the specified conditions are achieved.

A feature of the invention according to claim 19 is to use a signal output from the device according to claims 8 to 14 to turn on or color a display device based on the sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale. Or, it is a point to display each sleep stage according to the brightness.

According to a twentieth aspect of the invention, a signal output from the device according to the eighth to fourteenth aspects is used, and based on the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale. , Continuous information about sleep, sleep stage information, or any designated function value is displayed as an analog value or a digital value.

A twenty-first aspect of the invention is based on the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, using a signal output from the device according to the eighth to fourteenth aspects. , Controlling the operation, temperature or humidity of pressure ulcer prevention equipment.

A twenty-second aspect of the invention is based on the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, using a signal output from the device according to the eighth to fourteenth aspects. , Controlling the operation of the postural changer, temperature or humidity.

A twenty-third aspect of the present invention is based on the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, using the signal output from the device according to the eighth to fourteenth aspects. , The operation of the electric bed, the position of raising the back and legs, and the temperature or humidity are controlled.

A twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention uses the signal output from the device according to the eighth to fourteenth aspects to identify the sleep stage information or the continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, or the sleep stage information. Based on body movement information, mats, blankets,
The point is to control the operation, temperature or humidity of heating appliances such as bean curd, kotatsu, and stove.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the signal output from the device according to the eighth to fourteenth aspects is used, and the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale or the sleep stage information or the sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale is used. The point is to control the operation, temperature or humidity of a temperature and humidity management device such as an air conditioner or a cooler based on the body movement information.

A twenty-sixth aspect of the invention is based on the sleep stage information or the continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, using the signal output from the device according to the eighth to fourteenth aspects. The point is to control the operation or brightness of the lighting equipment.

A twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention is based on the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, using a signal output from the device according to the eighth to fourteenth aspects. , The operation of audiovisual equipment such as a radio and a television, and the control of the volume or brightness.

A twenty-eighth aspect of the invention is based on the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, using the signal output from the device according to the eighth to fourteenth aspects. The point is to control the operation and strength of deodorizing equipment.

A twenty-ninth aspect of the invention is based on the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, using a signal output from the device according to the eighth to fourteenth aspects. The point is to control the operation of the telephone.

A thirtieth aspect of the invention is based on the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, using the signal output from the device according to the eighth to fourteenth aspects. The point is to control the operation of the alarm device when the specified condition is achieved.

A thirty-first aspect of the invention is the thirtieth aspect.
The control of the alarm device described is the control of the operation or brightness of the lighting device.

A thirty-second aspect of the invention is the thirtieth aspect.
The control of the alarm device described is the operation of the audiovisual device,
It is the control of volume or brightness.

The feature of the invention described in Item 33 is that of Item 30.
The control of the alarm device described is the control of the scent generator.

The feature of the invention described in Item 34 is that of Item 30.
The control of the alarm device described is the control of a chair.

[0052]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a sleep stage estimation device to which the estimation method of the present invention is applied.
The same elements as those described in the conventional device of No. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

Heart rate variability information Ib from the filter means 5,
The breathing information Ir and the snoring information Is are input to the sleep stage estimation calculation unit 9 to which the estimation method of the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 10 is an infrared camera for monitoring the body movement of the subject 3 while sleeping, and 11 is an image processing means thereof, which is a normalized body movement information output Im.
Is given to the sleep stage estimation calculation unit 9. As will be described later, the body movement information can be estimated and calculated based on the heartbeat variation information Ib, and in that case, the infrared camera does not have to be installed.

Reference numeral 12 is a dynamic model to which the heartbeat variability information Ib is input, and by a predetermined number of past sample data,
It outputs continuous sleep stage information Sc with higher accuracy than the conventional static linear model formula.

That is, the input is the heart rate fluctuation hu in the medium frequency band.
(t), the output is given as the sleep stage transition Sm (t) in the same band as the equation (1) in the time difference equation.

[0056]

[Equation 1]

The coefficient is determined by the least squares method based on the test data, and the relationship between the sleep stage transition Sm (t) and the heart rate fluctuation hu (t) is given by the dynamic model shown in the equation (2).

[0058]

[Equation 2]

The result of estimating the sleep stage transition from the heart rate fluctuation in the middle frequency band using this dynamic model is shown in FIG. 4 (B) described later, which is based on the international standard of FIG. 4 (A). The closeness to the transition of sleep stages is more accurate than the transition of conventional sleep stages based on a static model.

The continuous sleep stage information Sc from the dynamic model 12 is output to the outside as biometric information and also input to the membership function means 13, and converted into discrete sleep stage information Sm on a nominal scale. It is input to the sleep stage identifying means 14.

An outline of data processing in the membership function means 13 will be described. First, set the following assumptions. (A1) Humans experience all of the stages of awakening, REM sleep, and non-REM sleep stages 1, 2, 3, and 4 before going to bed and getting up. (A2) The heart rate in each sleep follows a certain distribution (for example, normal distribution).

The continuous sleep stages estimated by the dynamic model from heart rate variability are set to N (>) between the minimum value and the maximum value.
6) Divide into equal parts and create a histogram his (k) of the number of sleeping hours for each sleep stage, and normalize this histogram as in formula (3) so that it can be compared for each measurement data.

[0063]

[Equation 3]

Here, Sh is the fluctuation range of continuous sleep stages. According to the above assumptions (a1) and (a2), the histogram of the equation (3) is given by a multimodal density function of sums obtained by multiplying six normal distribution probability functions corresponding to sleep categories by weight wi.

The parameters mi and standard deviation σi of these 6 normal distribution functions that best fit equation (3) are given as solutions to the optimization problem of equation (4).

[0066]

[Equation 4]

The coefficient wi is an average value of the proportion of each sleep stage in one night sleep, and each sleep 6 (wakefulness W), 5 (REM sleep R), 4 (non-REM sleep 1), 3 (non-REM sleep). Sleep 2), 2 (NREM sleep 3), 1 (NREM sleep 4)
It is assumed that the value of the equation (5) is taken. The number of subscripts corresponds to the number above (sleep stage).

[0068]

[Equation 5]

This value is data for a healthy person, and is in good agreement with the result of the test. Equation (4) can be solved by a standard optimization algorithm (for example, Newton-Raphson method). The standardized average value mi and standard deviation σi of the heart rate in each sleep of the data obtained by the test are as shown in Expression (6), and these are set as the search range.

[0070]

[Equation 6]

The exponential function parts of the six probability density functions obtained as described above become the membership function of the equation (7) for converting the continuous sleep stage into 6 stages of sleep.

[0072]

[Equation 7]

The sleep stage k continuously estimated by this function
And the obtained variable yi (i = 1,2,3,4,5,6) indicates the degree of belonging to each sleep stage, and the maximum one is taken as the corresponding sleep stage. yi (i = 1,2,3,4,5,
6) has a value of 0 to 1 and can be treated as a random variable.

Through such data processing, the membership function means 13 converts the continuous sleep stage information into an output Sm classified into six discrete sleep stages and inputs it to the sleep stage identification means 14. .

As described above, the membership function means 13 allows the six stages of sleep to be estimated on a nominal scale. In the present invention, in order to further improve the accuracy of identification,
The feature is that body movement information is introduced into the sleep stage identifying means 14 to improve the identification accuracy of halfway awakening and REM sleep which are relatively difficult to distinguish.

The body movement information is obtained by the infrared camera 1 as described above.
Although it is possible to directly measure as Im by processing image information such as 0 (see FIG. 4C), here, the heartbeat variability information Ib is guided to the body motion estimation calculation means 15 to distinguish between mid-awakening and REM sleep. A method of obtaining the index Iwr to be described will be described.

In the unconstrained sensor means for measuring the pressure fluctuation using the air mattress, the pressure fluctuation due to the body movement is extremely larger than the heartbeat fluctuation. Therefore, the body movement M (t) at time t is a predetermined time (for example, 1
Min) to obtain the variance.

When there is a body movement, the variance of the heart rate variability data for each minute has a large value, and this value is proportional to the magnitude of the body movement. In order to find the relationship between sleep stages and body movements, the size (variance) of body movements for each sleep stage is obtained and related to the sleep stages. Here, the standardized body movement magnitude M ′ (t) is defined as shown in equation (8).

[0079]

[Equation 8]

It is given as a parameter in advance,
Mean value M0 of M (t) at the time of subject's landing and immediately before waking up
And the index of the following equation is defined based on M '(t). Iwr (t) = M '(t) / M0 (9)

In all test data, the average value of the index Iwr during REM sleep and halfway sleep determined by the conventional method and (±
The standard deviations are: Iwr = 1.1 (± 0.23) during wakefulness in the middle and Iwr = 0.53 (± 0.19) during REM sleep, and there are clear differences.

From this, it is possible to discriminate between REM and wakefulness when Iwr (t)> 0.87 and wakefulness Iwr (t) ≦ 0.87 using the lowest value of halfway wakefulness of 0.87.

Reference numeral 16 is a personal biometric information database of the subject, and provides individual body-specific parameter information to the body motion estimating and calculating means 15, the membership function means 13, and the sleep stage identifying means 14. The personal biometric information for this database is given from the personal biometric information database means 17 for accumulating past data, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, and is used as tuning data for increasing the calculation accuracy by the learning effect.

Snoring information I obtained from the filter means 5
s and respiratory information Ir are also introduced into the sleep stage identifying means 14, are used as auxiliary data for REM sleep identification and apnea monitoring data, and are output from the sleep stage estimation calculation unit 9 as biological information.

As described above, the output of the sleep stage estimation calculation unit 9, which is a feature of the present invention, is based on the continuous sleep stage information Sc from the dynamic model 12 and the nominal scale from the sleep stage identifying means 14. There are six pieces of information, sleep stage information Sa, heart rate variability information Ib, body movement information Im, snoring information Is, and respiratory information Ir.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the overall configuration of a system that uses these information. Reference numeral 18 denotes a memory / holding means, which outputs the output information (Sc, S
a, Ib, Im, Is, Ir) is output and real-time information is output, and data for a predetermined period (short term such as one day) is accumulated, and after the lapse of the predetermined period, the latest data is updated for a predetermined period. It has the function of grasping the changing tendency (trend) of information.

Reference numeral 19 is a site monitoring means for biometric information at the site of treatment or care, and 20 is a recording / display means of information, which is displayed by real-time information display, short-term trend display, and personal biometric information database means 17. Display a long-term trend based on long-term data. Reference numeral 21 is an alarm means for issuing a warning under a predetermined setting condition.

The information from these means 19, 20, 21 is
It is information for the doctor or caregiver 22 for on-site diagnosis or care, and service information for personal life management.

23 is an external communication interface,
The real-time information from the storage / holding means 18, the short-term trend information, and the long-term trend information based on the long-term data collected by the personal biometric information database means 17 are sent to the remote monitoring means 26 via the external network 24 and the external communication interface 25. send.

The information obtained by the remote monitoring means 26 is
It is used by a doctor / caregiver (including family) 27 and a surveillance service center 28 in a remote place, and reports 29 to a predetermined institution if necessary.

The information stored in the storage / holding means 18 after the lapse of a predetermined period is collected by the personal biometric information database means 17, and long-term (week, month, year) personal data is accumulated.
As described above, this data is supplied to the sleep stage estimation calculation unit 9 as a parameter for the estimation calculation and displayed / displayed.
By providing long-term trend information to the recording means 20 and the external network 24, the offline data analysis means 30 can create treatment and care support information for each individual based on long-term data.

Reference numeral 31 denotes various kinds of care support equipment. The real-time information from the memory holding means 18 is information for operating and controlling the care support equipment as information for providing a more comfortable sleeping environment to the care receiver 32 who is sleeping. It is used as information for

To give an example of various types of care support equipment, in providing a comfortable sleeping environment, pressure ulcer prevention equipment, body position converters, electric beds, heating equipment, temperature and humidity management equipment, lighting equipment, audiovisual equipment, deodorizing equipment, telephones, etc. Operation and control. Furthermore, in providing a comfortable awakening environment, operation and control of various alarm-related equipment
Control.

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to reporting, monitoring, display / recording, and operation / control of various care support equipment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 16.

FIG. 3 is a time chart showing an embodiment of the operation mode of the alarm issuing means 21 in FIG. 2, and is characterized in that automatic alarm is issued at all state transitions of a 6-step sleep state or at designated transitions. And From sleep to sleep non-REM 1 timing t1, REM sleep start timing t2 and end timing t3 in the first sleep cycle, REM sleep start timing t4 and end timing t5 in the second sleep cycle, third time In the sleep cycle, automatic notification is issued at the start timing t6 and the end timing t7 of the REM sleep and the awakening timing t8.

FIG. 4 is the same as the reporting means 21 in FIG.
Is a time chart showing another embodiment of the operation mode of
The feature is that an alarm is automatically issued when a specified condition is achieved.
FIG. 4A is a transition diagram of sleep stage information Sa estimated by a six-step nominal scale, FIG. 4B is a transition diagram of continuous sleep stage information Sc, and FIG. 4C is a transition diagram of body movement information Im. is there.

In FIG. 4A, timings t9 and t
Although the period of 10 is REM sleep, if this period is relatively long, by issuing a notification at the timing t9 when the condition of the continuous signal of (B) reaches a peak in the middle of this period, it is possible to perform more detailed monitoring. It is possible to manage alarms.

FIG. 5 shows the display / recording means 20 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation mode of the above, based on 6-stage estimation information about sleep, lighting ON / OFF of a display device such as a lamp or LED, a difference in color or brightness of a single lamp, or a bar. The 6-step sleep state can be displayed in a visually easy-to-understand manner by the graph.

FIG. 6 shows the display / recording means 20 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the operation mode of 6), in which 6-step estimation information regarding sleep, other measured biological information, or any indexed function value is displayed as an analog value or a digital value.

FIG. 6A shows the heart rate, FIG. 6B shows the respiratory rate,
(C) is a body movement index, (D) is a good sleep index, and (E) is an example in which 6 stages of sleep are displayed as an analog value and a digital value, respectively.

In the good sleep index of (D), the hatched area S1 of the 6-step transition diagram as shown in FIG. 3 is regarded as the quality of sleep, and the sleep quality when the ideal area S is 1 is shown. It represents an indexed function. The body movement index of (C) is shown in FIG.
The hatched area S of the body movement transition diagram as shown in (C) is taken as the quality of body movement, and a function that indexes the amount of body movement when the standard area S2 is 1 is shown.

The display form of the display / recording means 20 is shown in FIG. 3 using the accumulated data for a predetermined period (a short period such as one day) which is a function of the storage / holding means 18, in addition to the above real-time information. Such short-term (night sleep) trends can be displayed.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing still another display form of the display / recording means 20. The long data collected in the personal biometric information database 17 for accumulating the data of the storage / holding means 18 after a lapse of a predetermined period. It is a sleep pattern display for one week based on personal data of a period (week, month, year). This display shows a graph of changes in the wake-up time, bedtime and the pleasant sleep index of the specified day of the week, which can be used as service data for personal health management.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a body position converter and a control device for a pressure ulcer preventive device having substantially the same structure as that of the body position converter. Elements of the air mattress 1, the unrestricted sensor unit 4, the filter unit 5, and the sleep stage estimation calculation unit 9 are the same as those in FIG.

Inside the air mattress 1, there are a pair of body position changing pads 1a and 1b in the longitudinal direction of the mat, which are inflated alternately by the air pressure from the pressurizing device 33, and the right and left sides of the center line of the mat in the longitudinal direction. The left side is lifted up alternately as shown by arrows Pa and Pb, and the care-receiver 32 can be rolled alternately as shown by arrow R.

Reference numeral 34 denotes a control unit of the pressurizing device 33, which includes sleep stage estimation information Sc, Sa and biological information Im, Is, Ir,
The pressurizing operation is optimally controlled based on Ib. The control unit 34 controls the temperature by which the heating amount of the heater 36 is operated based on the measurement value of the temperature sensor 35 in the mattress, and the air supply pump 38 based on the measurement value of the humidity sensor 37 of the circulating air for dehumidification. Humidity control to operate.

Further, when no biological information is detected, the control section 34 also performs energy-saving control such as turning off the power supply, stopping the pressurizing operation, stopping the temperature / humidity control, or weakening the heating / dehumidifying. .

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a control device for an electric bed. 39 is a side view of the electric bed, 40 is a back raising slide mechanism, 41 is a back raising control unit,
Reference numeral 42 is a leg-raising slide mechanism, and 43 is a leg-raising control unit.

As in the case of FIG. 8, the control unit 34 controls the sleep stage estimation information Sc, Sa and the biological information Im, Is, Ir,
Based on Ib (the same applies to the following embodiments), the back raising control unit 4 issues a command to optimize the back raising and leg raising positions of the electric bed.
1 and the leg-raising control unit 43. Reference numeral 44 denotes a manual setting device for the back raising control unit 41 and the leg raising control unit 43.

Although not shown in FIG.
When the control unit 34 has a mechanism for controlling the temperature or humidity similar to the above, the control unit 34 executes these controls, and when the biological information is not detected, the temperature / humidity control is stopped or the heating / dehumidifying is weakened. Also performs energy saving control.

By such control, when the person goes to sleep with the back raised and the legs raised, and when the person enters the sleep stage during the sleep stage, the back raised and the legs raised can be returned to the original state. Can provide an environment that facilitates deep sleep,
You can also prevent falling from the bed.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a control device for a heating appliance such as an electric blanket or an electric anchorage. 45
Is an electric blanket and has a heater 46 driven by an AC power source. Reference numeral 47 denotes a temperature control unit, which inputs the measurement value of the temperature sensor 48 and controls the heating amount of the heater 46 so that the temperature is set by the control unit 34.

When the biometric information is not detected, the control unit 34 transmits a command to turn off the power source to the power source control unit 50 or controls the heating of the heater 46 to be weakened to realize energy saving. Reference numeral 44 is a manual setting device for the temperature control unit 47 and the power supply control unit 50.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a control device for temperature and humidity management equipment such as an air conditioner and a cooler.
Reference numeral 51 denotes an air conditioner main body, which has a heater 52 and a dehumidifier 53 driven by an AC power source. 54 is a temperature sensor, 5
Reference numeral 5 denotes a humidity sensor, and the measured values of these sensors are input to the temperature / humidity control unit 56, and the heater 52 and the dehumidifier 53 are controlled so that the values are set by the control unit 34.

When the biometric information is not detected, the control unit 34 transmits a command to turn off the power source to the power source control unit 50, or realizes energy saving by controlling heating and dehumidification. Reference numeral 44 denotes a temperature / humidity control unit 56 and a power supply control unit 5
It is a manual setting device of 0.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a control device for lighting equipment. 57 is a lighting device such as an incandescent lamp,
Reference numeral 58 denotes a light emitting unit, which is driven by an AC power source and whose brightness is adjusted by operating the brightness control unit 59. Brightness control unit 5
9 is the light emitting means 5 so that the set value from the control unit 34 is obtained.
Operate 8.

When the biometric information is not detected, the control unit 34 transmits a command to turn off the power source to the power source control unit 50, or realizes energy saving by controlling to turn off the illumination. Reference numeral 44 denotes a manual setting device for the brightness control unit 59 and the power supply control unit 50.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a control device for audiovisual equipment. Reference numeral 60 is a main body of audiovisual equipment driven by an AC power source, and has a CRT monitor 61 and a speaker 62. 63 is a brightness control unit, which is a CRT
The brightness of the monitor 61 is controlled. A volume controller 64 controls the volume of the speaker 62.

The control section 34 gives a set value to the brightness control section 63 and the volume control section 64, and when the biometric information is not detected, the power control section 5 issues a command to turn off the power.
Energy saving is achieved by controlling the transmission to 0 or turning down the brightness and volume. Reference numeral 44 is a manual setting device for the volume control unit 64, the brightness control unit 63, and the power supply control unit 50.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a control device for a deodorizing device. Reference numeral 65 denotes a deodorizing device driven by an AC power source, and the deodorizing control unit 66 controls the deodorizing power.
67 is an odor sensor installed at an appropriate place in the room, and inputs the measured value to the deodorization control unit 66 to make the control unit 3
Operate the deodorizer so that the set value becomes 4.

When the biological information is not detected, the control unit 34 transmits a command to turn off the power source to the power source control unit 50, or controls the function of the deodorizing device to be reduced, thereby realizing energy saving. The manual setting device 44 includes the deodorization control unit 6
6 and the power supply control unit 50 are set.

FIG. 15 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a control device for alarm-related equipment. Reference numeral 68 denotes an alarm controller, which has an internal clock function 69. The wake-up control unit 68 inputs the wake-up condition command and wake-up set time information from the control unit 34, and drives various wake-up operation units.

The wake-up mode by voice is such that a buzzer sounds, music or a shout is played when a specified condition is achieved.
The alarm wake-up mode generates an alarm instruction when a specified condition is achieved. In the wake-up mode by the chair, the chair is vibrated to perform the wake-up operation when the specified condition is achieved.

The wake-up mode by the luminaire controls the operation (OFF → ON) or the brightness of the luminaire in order to wake up according to the specified conditions. The wake-up mode by the audiovisual equipment is the operation (OFF → O) of the audiovisual equipment in order to wake up according to the specified condition.
N), volume or brightness (luminance).

In the above alarm mode, when the biological information is not detected, the control for stopping the above operation is performed.

FIG. 16 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a control device of a scent generator for refreshing awakening. 70
Is a scent-generating material, and is a heater 71 driven by an AC power source.
The intensity of the scent generated by the amount of heating is adjusted. A scent control unit 72 controls the heating amount of the heater 71 so that the intensity is set by the control unit 34.

When the biometric information is not detected, the control device 34 transmits a command to turn off the power source to the power source control unit 50 or realizes energy saving by controlling the intensity of fragrance generation. Reference numeral 44 is a manual setting device for the scent control unit 72 and the power supply control unit 50.

As another embodiment for providing a more comfortable sleeping environment, although not shown, application of the receiving operation of the telephone to a control device can be considered. When you receive a call, as in the case of an answering machine of the current telephone, if you are in the REM sleep stage to the deep sleep stage in the sleep stage, reply that you are in the sleep state or reply that you are in the sleep state. After that, it has functions such as recording the received sound.

In the embodiments described above, the estimation of the sleep stage is explained by the international standard of 6 stages. However, when the resolution of 6 stages is not necessarily required for the treatment or the device control, the non-REM 1 and It is possible to use 2 as one category and non-REMs 3 and 4 as one category, for a total of four-level information, or to use as three-level information of awakening, non-REM, and REM.

As the unconstrained sensor means used in the present invention, a high-sensitivity pressure sensor and an infrared camera in which the internal pressure of the air mattress is introduced are exemplified, but the invention is not limited to this and other heartbeats are used. It is possible to use a number variation sensor and a body movement sensor.

[0131]

As is apparent from the above description,
According to the present invention, biological information obtained without restraint is used to accurately determine in real time the current sleep stage according to the international standard of 6 stages of sleep with a nominal scale. As it can be estimated, it is possible to build a high-level treatment and care environment.

It is possible to realize an apparatus that can provide real-time, short-term trend, long-term trend monitoring information or personal service information by utilizing highly accurate biometric information obtained without restraint.

It is possible to realize a nursing care support device that provides a more comfortable sleeping environment based on the highly accurate sleep stage estimation information using the biological information obtained without restraint.

[0134]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a sleep stage estimation device to which an estimation method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the overall configuration of a system that uses information obtained by the estimation method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a time chart diagram showing an example of an operation mode of the reporting means in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing another embodiment of the operation mode of the alarm issuing means in FIG.

5 is a schematic view showing an example of an operation mode of the display / recording means in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the operation mode of the display / recording means in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing still another embodiment of the operation mode of the display / recording means in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the control of a posture changing device and a pressure ulcer preventive device having substantially the same structure as the position changing device.

FIG. 9 is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to control of an electric bed.

FIG. 10 is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to control of a heating appliance such as an electric blanket or an electric anchorage.

FIG. 11 is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to control of temperature and humidity management equipment such as an air conditioner and a cooler.

FIG. 12 is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to control of a lighting fixture.

FIG. 13 is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to control of an audio visual device.

FIG. 14 is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to control of a deodorizing device.

FIG. 15 is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to control of an alarm-related device.

FIG. 16 is an embodiment diagram in which the present invention is applied to control of a scent generator.

FIG. 17 is a conventional configuration diagram of a biological information collecting device using unrestrained sensor means.

18 is a waveform diagram of the measurement data of FIG.

19 is a waveform diagram of continuous sleep stage estimation based on the measurement data of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 air mattress Two groups 3 subjects 4 Unrestrained sensor means 5 Filter means 9 Sleep stage estimation calculation unit 10 infrared camera 11 Image processing means 12 Dynamic model 13 Membership Function Means 14 Sleep stage identification means 15 Body motion estimation calculation means 16 Personal biometric information database 17 Personal biometric information storage database means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) F24C 1/00 F24C 7/04 301G 4C341 7/04 301 F24D 13/02 G F24F 11/02 Z F24D 13 / 02 A61G 10/02 Z F24F 11/02 12/00 B // A61G 7/05 A61B 5/10 310A 10/02 A61M 21/00 300Z 12/00 A61G 7/04 (72) Inventor Kunio Kazami Musashino, Tokyo 2-9-3 Ichichu-cho Yokogawa Electric Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3L060 AA06 AA07 CC02 CC07 DD02 EE01 3L072 AA01 AB04 AC02 AF06 3L087 AA11 AA15 4C038 VB01 VB31 4C040 AA01 AA03 AA10 AA27 AA29 DD08 EE05 DD02 EE05 DD03 EE05 KL08 LL05

Claims (34)

[Claims] 1. A sleep stage estimation method characterized in that a sleep stage is identified by a nominal scale based on heartbeat variability information and body movement information of a living body measured by an unrestrained biological sensor. 2. The sleep stage estimating method according to claim 1, wherein the body movement information is estimated and calculated based on the heartbeat variability information. 3. The body movement information is an index value obtained from the variance of the heart rate variability for each predetermined time, and REM sleep and halfway sleep information are identified by a nominal scale by the index value. The sleep stage estimation method according to claim 2. 4. The sleep stage estimating method according to claim 1, wherein the body movement information is obtained by an unrestrained body movement detecting sensor means. 5. Membership function means utilizing the fact that the continuous sleep stage information estimated by the dynamic model of the intermediate wave band of the heart rate variability has a distribution characteristic with a heart rate variability at each stage of sleep. The sleep stage estimating method according to claim 1, wherein the sleep stage is identified by a nominal scale. 6. The sleep according to claim 1, wherein the respiratory information and / or snoring information of the living body is added as information for identifying a sleep stage on a nominal scale. Step estimation method. 7. The sleep stage estimating method according to claim 1, wherein the sleep stage is identified by a nominal scale into 6 stages which are international standards. 8. A sleep stage estimating device comprising a sleep stage identifying means for inputting heartbeat variability information and body movement information of a living body measured by an unrestrained biological sensor and estimating and calculating a sleep stage on a nominal scale. 9. The sleep stage estimating device according to claim 8, further comprising a body movement estimating calculation means for estimating the body movement information based on the heartbeat variation information. 10. Means for obtaining said body movement information as an index value obtained from variance of heartbeat variability for each predetermined time, and means for identifying REM sleep and halfway awakening information on a nominal scale based on this index value. The sleep stage estimation device according to claim 9, further comprising: 11. The sleep stage estimating device according to claim 8, wherein the body movement information is obtained from an unrestrained body movement detecting sensor means. 12. A means for estimating continuous sleep stage information by a dynamic model of the intermediate wave band of the heartbeat variability, and a distribution characteristic having heart rate variability in each stage of sleep based on the continuous sleep stage information. 9. A sleep stage estimating device according to claim 8, further comprising membership function means for identifying sleep stages on a nominal scale. 13. The sleep stage according to claim 8, further comprising means for adding the breathing information and / or snoring information of the living body as information for identifying a sleep stage on a nominal scale. Estimator. 14. The sleep stage estimating device according to claim 8, wherein the sleep stages are identified by a nominal scale into 6 stages which are international standards. 15. A storage / holding unit is provided, which collects the sleep stage information or the continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, outputs the collected sleep stage information in real time, and stores and holds the information for a predetermined period. 15. A device using a signal output from the device according to claim 8, which monitors real-time or trend information at a remote location via a site or a network based on the data of the holding means. 16. A personal biometric information database means for accumulating the predetermined period elapsed information for a long period of time, and based on the data of this database means, long-term trend information is monitored at the site or at a remote location via a network. 1
A device utilizing a signal output from the device according to item 5. 17. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein an alarm is automatically issued based on the sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, at all of the transitions of each stage or at a designated transition. A device that uses a signal. 18. The automatic alarm is issued when a specified condition is achieved based on the sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale and the continuous sleep stage information.
An apparatus using a signal output from the apparatus described in 4. 19. The device according to claim 8, wherein each sleep stage is displayed by lighting or color or brightness of a display device based on the sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale. A device that uses signals. 20. Based on the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, continuous information regarding sleep and sleep stage information or any specified function value is converted into an analog value, A device utilizing the signal output from the device according to claims 8 to 14 for displaying as a digital value. 21. The operation, temperature or humidity of a pressure ulcer preventive device is controlled based on the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale.
An apparatus utilizing a signal output from the described apparatus. 22. The operation of the postural changer, the temperature, or the humidity is controlled based on the sleep stage information or the continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale.
An apparatus using a signal output from the apparatus described in 4. 23. Based on the sleep stage information or the continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, the operation of the electric bed, the position such as raising the back and legs, and the temperature or humidity are controlled. A device using a signal output from the device according to 8 to 14. 24. Based on the sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale or the continuous sleep stage information or the body movement information, the operation and temperature of a heating appliance such as a mat, blanket, bean paste, kotatsu, stove, etc. An apparatus using a signal output from the apparatus according to claim 8 or 14 for controlling humidity. 25. An operation of a temperature / humidity management device such as an air conditioner or a cooler based on the sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, the continuous sleep stage information, or the body movement information,
15. A device using a signal output from the device according to claim 8 for controlling temperature or humidity. 26. The device according to claim 8, which controls the operation or brightness of the lighting device based on the sleep stage information or the continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale. A device that uses signals. 27. The operation, volume, or brightness of an audiovisual device such as a radio or a television is controlled based on the sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale or the continuous sleep stage information. 14. A device using a signal output from the device according to 14. 28. A signal output from the device according to claim 8, which controls the operation and strength of the deodorizing device based on the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale. The device using. 29. Use of a signal output from the device according to claim 8 to control the operation of a telephone based on the sleep stage information or the continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale. Device 30. Based on the sleep stage information or continuous sleep stage information identified by the nominal scale, the operation of the wake-up device is controlled when a specified condition is achieved.
An apparatus using a signal output from the apparatus described in any one of (1) to (14). 31. The control of the alarm device is a control of operation or brightness of a lighting device.
0 device. 32. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the control of the wake-up device is a control of operation, volume or brightness of the audiovisual device. 33. The device according to claim 30, wherein the control of the alarm device is a control of a scent generator. 34. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the control of the alarm device is a control of a chair.