JP2006308301A - Measuring device, system, and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a measuring device, a measuring system, and a measuring method capable of measuring the number of steps without requiring mounting or operation of the device or the like which is supposed to be troublesome by a user. <P>SOLUTION: The measuring device measures the number of steps, a stride and step speed of the user and stores measured information, and can perform radio communication with the outside. The measuring system is constituted of the measuring device and an information processing device for performing radio communication, and can determine the number of steps, a walking distance, a movement quantity or the like of the user based on the measured information measured by the measuring device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a measuring apparatus that has a sensor or the like and measures the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed of a user.
The present invention also relates to a measurement system and a measurement method that support the health management of a walking user, including the measurement device and the information processing device using the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology.

  With the development of the economy, an increase in the obese population due to overnutrition and lack of exercise has become one of the social problems. The common treatment for obesity is proper health care, ie proper diet and proper exercise. And walking is the most widely used exercise for this appropriate exercise. A person who conducts health care wears a pedometer and walks to measure and record the number of daily steps.

  Walking as exercise therapy requires long-term continuation, but it is difficult to record, to forget to wear a pedometer, or to maintain motivation. In order to solve these problems, health management systems that perform health management using various devices have been developed. Among them, there is a measurement system that can measure the number of steps easily, accurately or happily.

  For example, the exercise data management system described in Patent Document 1 improves the convenience of the fitness club by extracting and managing information related to exercise from the user's step count data. Further, the pedometer system and the pedometer described in Patent Document 2 can obtain advanced information and highly interesting information based on the number of steps of the user by using a communication device such as a portable terminal device. Further, the step count system with a game given in Patent Document 3 gives a motivation to walk by giving a point proportional to the number of steps of the user and exchanging it with an article or the like.

JP 2004-192467 A JP 2004-226076 A JP 2004-264244 A

  However, the system of Patent Document 1 is used only in a fitness club, and cannot be easily used on a daily basis. In addition, the systems of Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 have a configuration in which information, points, and the like are provided as a motivation for walking, and information provided is reduced because the relevance between the behavior of walking and an object to be obtained becomes low Or a system that is only used by users who are interested in games. In addition, the system disclosed in Patent Document 3 has a structure that is unlikely to generate profits on the system provider side, and thus the possibility of realization is low. Furthermore, all of the systems disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 have a problem that a user has a large pedometer and has to perform troublesome operations such as connection with other devices and input of information every time. .

  In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that measures the number of steps of a user without wearing or operating a device that the user feels troublesome. It is another object of the present invention to provide a measuring device that can measure not only the number of steps and the walking speed of the user but also the stride.

  In addition, by measuring the number of steps, step length and step speed of the user using the above measuring device, it is possible to obtain an accurate walking distance and momentum, and to provide information on health management suitable for each user. It is an object to provide a measurement system that can be used. It is another object of the present invention to provide a measurement system that is inexpensive and can be used easily by a user by using an inexpensive measurement device and an information processing device that can use existing hardware resources. . In addition, if the user is using another health management system (for example, a system related to meal management), the data acquired using this system can be used by sharing it with other systems. It is an object to provide a measurement system that can further improve the quality of health care for the elderly.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following measures.

  The measurement device of the present invention measures the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed of the user, and stores the measurement information. Therefore, the measuring apparatus includes a measuring unit, a measurement information storage unit, and a (first) wireless communication unit. The measurement means measures the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed of the user. The measurement information storage unit stores measurement information including the measured information and the measurement time, and the (first) wireless communication unit performs wireless communication with the outside.

  The measurement means includes a sensor for detecting speed or acceleration, an A / D conversion circuit, a counter, an arithmetic circuit, a power supply device, and the like. The measurement information storage means has a memory, preferably a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The wireless communication means includes an antenna, a power supply circuit, a demodulation circuit, a modulation circuit, an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, a control circuit, and the like.

  The measuring device can also have individual identification information storage means. The individual identification information storage means stores individual identification information including an individual identification number for identifying one measurement device from a plurality of measurement devices. The individual identification information storage means has a memory, preferably a write-once nonvolatile memory.

  The measuring device is composed of a pair (a first measuring device and a second measuring device), and the pair of measuring means includes a sensor for detecting speed or acceleration and a pair of measuring devices. It is possible to have a sensor for detecting the distance.

  These measuring devices are mounted on a user's feet, socks, or shoes.

  The measurement system of the present invention includes the measurement device described above and an information processing device. The information processing apparatus performs wireless communication with the measurement apparatus, and obtains the user's walking distance and exercise amount from the measurement information and management information. Therefore, the information processing apparatus includes second wireless communication means, information processing means, information storage means, and display means. Here, in order to avoid confusion between the wireless communication unit included in the measurement device and the second wireless communication unit included in the information processing unit, the wireless communication unit included in the measurement device is referred to as a first wireless communication unit.

  In the measurement system of the present invention, the information processing apparatus can be configured with a reader / writer and a computer. The reader / writer has second wireless communication means, and the computer has information storage means, information processing means, and display means. Here, the reader / writer and the computer can be connected via a communication line such as a USB cable. Alternatively, a configuration in which information is transmitted and received by wireless communication such as infrared communication can be employed.

  Furthermore, in the measurement system of the present invention, the information processing apparatus can be configured with a reader / writer, a computer, and a database. The reader / writer has second wireless communication means, the computer has information processing means and display means, and the database has information storage means. Here, the computer and the database can be connected via a network such as the Internet.

The second wireless communication means performs wireless communication with the measuring device, and the information storage means stores management information having personal information of the user in a database. The information processing means performs information processing from the measurement information and the management information, and the display means displays the processed information and information related to health management. Here, the information related to health management is information useful for performing health management such as meals and exercise in accordance with the information in consideration of the number of steps of the user, the walking distance, the amount of exercise, and the like. Information regarding these health cares is stored in the management information. Or it is also possible to collect via a network.

  The second wireless communication means includes an antenna, a demodulation circuit, a modulation circuit, an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, a control circuit, and the like. The information storage means has a hard disk. The information processing means includes a volatile memory, a central processing unit, a memory control circuit, and the like. The display means has a display device.

  The measurement method of the present invention measures information relating to the user's walking using the measurement system of the present invention. Specifically, the measurement device described above measures the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed of the user, the information processing device receives the measurement information from the measurement device, and the user information is received from the received information and management information. The walking distance and the amount of exercise are obtained and the processing information is displayed.

  More specifically, in the measurement method of the present invention, the measurement device measures the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed of the user, and stores the measured information including the measured information and the measurement time. The information processing apparatus transmits an information request signal to the measurement apparatus, and the measurement apparatus transmits measurement information and individual identification information to the information processing apparatus in response to the information request signal. The information processing device receives information from the measurement device, obtains the walking distance and exercise amount of the user from the received information and stored management information, and displays processing information, information on health management, and the like.

  The measurement device of the present invention can be miniaturized by using RFID technology that performs wireless communication with an information processing device and minimizing circuits built in the device. Therefore, the measuring device can be attached to a shoe or the like and can be left attached. Further, since information is transmitted and received by wireless communication, the user can obtain the number of steps, walking distance, amount of exercise, and the like only by approaching an information processing device installed at the entrance, for example. With the above-described configuration, the user can use the measurement system of the present invention without troublesome apparatus mounting or operation.

  In addition, the stride during walking or running varies depending on the walking speed, running speed, etc., but the conventional stride measuring device cannot measure the stride. However, the measuring device of the present invention is constituted by two sensor tags, and can measure the user's stride by detecting the distance of the foot during walking. Further, it is possible to determine the walking distance and the amount of exercise of the user by measuring the number of steps, the step length, and the walking speed.

  Further, as described above, the measuring device according to the present invention has a small number of functions to be built and is small, so that it can be manufactured in large quantities from a single substrate at a low cost. Furthermore, since the information processing apparatus can use existing hardware such as a computer, for example, the measurement system of the present invention does not cost the user and can be used easily.

  Furthermore, the information processing apparatus constituting the measurement system of the present invention stores user measurement information and the like in a database. Therefore, when the user uses other health management systems together, the information stored in the database stored in the information processing apparatus can be used as a database of those health management systems.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following description. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the description of the following embodiments and examples. Note that in describing the structure of the present invention with reference to the drawings, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals in different drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
The measurement system of the present invention includes a measurement device and an information processing device. The measuring device measures the number of steps, step length, and walking speed (running speed) of a user who walks (runs), and the information processing apparatus obtains a walking distance (running distance), a momentum, and the like from the measurement information, It is characterized by displaying information on health care. In the present embodiment, the measurement device of the present invention constituting the measurement system will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In this specification, an example in which a user walks is described. Therefore, walking or running is described as “walking”, walking speed or traveling speed as “walking speed”, and walking distance or traveling distance as “walking distance”. However, the present invention is not limited to walking alone.

  The measurement device of the present invention is manufactured using an RFID technology that wirelessly transmits and receives information to and from an information processing device, and a sensor technology that detects distance, speed, acceleration, and the like. The measurement device is attached to a user's foot, socks, shoes, etc. (preferably shoes), and detects speed, distance, and the like. Then, based on the detection information, the number of steps, step length and step speed of the user are obtained and stored using an arithmetic circuit or the like. Furthermore, the stored information is wirelessly transmitted to the information processing apparatus.

  In this specification, obtaining the number of steps, step length, and step speed of the user from the detected information is referred to as “measurement”.

  In FIG. 1, the structure of the measuring device of this invention is shown. A measuring apparatus 101 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A includes a measuring unit 101a, a measurement information storage unit 101b, and a wireless communication unit 101c.

  The measuring unit 101a detects speed, acceleration, distance, or the like, and measures the number of steps, step length, and step speed of the user based on the detected information. Therefore, the measuring unit 101a includes a power supply device, a sensor, an A / D conversion circuit, a counter, an arithmetic circuit, and the like.

  The sensor is a sensor that detects a certain physical quantity, and may include one or a plurality of sensors. For example, a speed sensor can be included as the sensor. If the speed sensor is used, the number of steps can be measured by counting the number of times that the speed in the traveling direction becomes zero, and the step length and the walking distance can be measured by taking time integration of the speed. It is also possible to find the walking speed by finding the average speed.

  The measurement information storage unit 101b stores measurement information such as the number of steps, step length, step speed, and measurement time measured by the measurement unit 101a. Therefore, the measurement information storage unit 101b has a memory, preferably a rewritable nonvolatile memory.

  The wireless communication unit 101c transmits and receives information to and from the information processing device wirelessly. Specifically, an operation such as receiving a command from the information processing apparatus and transmitting measurement information is performed. Therefore, the wireless communication unit 101c includes an antenna, a power supply circuit, a demodulation circuit, a modulation circuit, an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, a control circuit, and the like. Furthermore, an encryption processing circuit, a congestion control circuit, and the like can be provided.

  The magnitude of the wireless communication distance between the measuring apparatus 101 and the information processing apparatus depends on the configuration of the wireless communication unit 101c, the frequency of electromagnetic waves used for wireless communication, and the like. For example, as in the configuration of the wireless communication unit 101c, in the case of a passive type that receives driving power from an information processing device via electromagnetic waves (that is, does not have a communication power supply device), the communication distance is from several mm. It becomes several tens of centimeters. By having the said structure, the measuring apparatus 101 can be reduced in size (for example, stamp size).

  Furthermore, the measuring apparatus 101 can also be configured to include individual identification information storage means 101d. The individual identification information storage unit 101d stores individual identification information such as an individual identification number that identifies one user from among a plurality of users. Therefore, the individual identification information storage unit 101d includes a memory, preferably a write-once nonvolatile memory.

  FIG. 1B illustrates a measurement device 102 configured as a pair. The measurement device 102 includes a first measurement device 110 and a second measurement device 120, and is intended to obtain a stride in addition to the number of steps and the step speed by wearing on both feet of the user.

  The first measuring device 110 and the second measuring device 120 are the same as the measuring device 101 shown in FIG. 1A, measuring means 110a, 120a, measurement information storage means 110b, 120b, and wireless communication means 110c, 120c. Moreover, it can also be set as the structure which has individual identification information storage means 110d and 120d. In the above means, the measuring apparatus 101 has the same function and configuration as the means.

  The measuring means 110a, 120a included in the measuring device 102 configured in a pair is a distance between the measuring devices 110, 120 (specifically, between the sensors included in the measuring device) in addition to the speed sensor (or acceleration sensor). It has a distance sensor to detect. Then, by mounting the pair of measuring devices 102 on both feet of the user, preferably on the same position of both shoes, the distance between the walking user's feet can be detected. By detecting the distance between both feet, the user's stride can be measured.

  The measurement system of the present invention can separate a means for measuring information such as the number of steps and a means for performing information processing using the information such as the number of steps by performing wireless communication using RFID technology. That is, it can be divided into a measurement device that performs measurement and an information processing device that performs information processing. Therefore, the measuring devices 101 and 102 of the present invention can minimize the circuit built in the device, and can reduce the size of the device (for example, to a stamp size).

  If the measuring devices 101 and 102 are small, the device can be attached to feet, socks, shoes, etc. (preferably shoes), and it does not impose a burden on walking due to weight, and the appearance is not impaired. Further, when worn on shoes, it can be left worn. Moreover, the measuring device 102 of the present invention is composed of a pair of devices, and it is possible to accurately measure the user's stride by detecting the distance of the foot during walking.

  Furthermore, since the measuring devices 101 and 102 of the present invention have a small number of functions to be built and are small in size, they can be manufactured in large quantities from a single substrate at low cost, and the user can easily use them. .

(Embodiment 2)
In the present embodiment, a measurement system of the present invention and a measurement method using the measurement system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the measurement system of the present invention includes a measurement device 101 and an information processing device 201 that transmit and receive information by wireless communication. And the number of steps of a user who walks, a step length, and a step speed are measured, A walk distance, a momentum, etc. are calculated | required based on measurement information.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 201 having the above functions includes at least a second wireless communication unit 201a, an information processing unit 201b, an information storage unit 201c, and a display unit 201d.

  In the measurement system of the present invention, the wireless communication means 101c included in the measurement apparatus 101 is referred to as “first wireless communication means 101c” in order to avoid confusion with the (second) wireless communication means 201a included in the information processing apparatus 201. It is described (see FIG. 2).

  The second wireless communication unit 201a includes an antenna, a demodulation circuit, a modulation circuit, an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, a control circuit, and the like, and performs wireless communication with the measurement apparatus 101. The information processing means 201b has a volatile memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a central processing unit (CPU), a memory control circuit, etc., and has measurement information, individual identification information, and management information described below. Use it to find the user's walking distance, momentum, etc. The information storage unit 201c has a hard disk or the like, and stores management information in a database. The management information includes, for example, personal information of users, measurement information, information processing history, information on health management such as walking and exercise, and the like. The display unit 201d includes a display device and the like, and displays processing information and information related to health management.

  The information processing apparatus 201 having the above configuration can be used using an existing computer. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, a reader / writer 301 having a second wireless communication unit 201a is connected to an existing computer 302 using an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 303, and the reader / writer By installing software having 301 drivers, an information processing program, management information, and the like, the information processing apparatus 201 can be used.

  The measurement system of the present invention configured by the measurement apparatus 101 described in Embodiment 1 and the information processing apparatus 201 is characterized by measuring data relating to a user's walking by the following measurement method.

  That is, the measuring device 101 is mounted on a user's foot or the like, preferably a shoe, measures the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed of the walking user, and stores the measurement information. Then, the information processing apparatus 201 receives measurement information and individual identification information stored in the measurement apparatus 101 by wireless communication, and uses the received information and management information to perform information processing for determining a user's walking distance, amount of exercise, and the like. And display processing information and information on health care.

  The measurement apparatus 101 and the information processing apparatus 201 that constitute the measurement system of the present invention transmit and receive information by wireless communication. Therefore, the user can obtain information on the number of steps, the walking distance, the amount of exercise, health management, and the like only by wearing the shoes with the measuring device 101 and approaching the information processing device 201 (reader / writer). That is, the user can use the measurement system of the present invention without troublesome apparatus mounting or operation.

  In addition, since the information processing apparatus 201 constituting the measurement system can use existing hardware such as a computer, the measurement system can be constructed without cost. Therefore, the user can easily use the measurement system of the present invention.

  Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 201 constituting the measurement system of the present invention stores user measurement information and the like in a database. When a user uses another health management system together, the information stored in the information storage unit 201c as management information by the information processing apparatus 201 is used as a database of another health management system. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the measurement system is configured by the measurement apparatus 101 and the information processing apparatus 201 described in the first embodiment has been described. However, it is also possible to configure a measurement system by the measurement apparatus 102 and the information processing apparatus 201 configured as a pair described in the first embodiment.

  Note that this embodiment mode can be freely combined with the above embodiment modes.

(Embodiment 3)
In the present embodiment, an example of using the pedometer system of the present invention will be described.

  The measurement system of the present invention measures the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed of a walking user by the measurement device 101 (102) attached to the user's foot, preferably shoes, and stores the measurement information. The information processing apparatus 201 receives measurement information and individual identification information stored in the measurement apparatus 101 (102) through wireless communication, and uses the received information and management information to determine a user's walking distance, amount of exercise, and the like. Performs information processing and displays processing information and health management information. Here, the information related to health management is information useful for performing health management such as meals and exercise in accordance with the information in consideration of the number of steps of the user, the walking distance, the amount of exercise, and the like. Information regarding these health cares is stored in the management information. Or it is also possible to collect via a network.

  First, a description will be given of an embodiment in which the user wears the measuring apparatus 101 (102).

  As described above, the measuring device 101 (102) is attached to a user's foot, socks, shoes, etc., preferably shoes. Specifically, in the case where the measuring apparatus 101 has the configuration shown in FIG. 1A, it is not limited which of the left and right shoes is worn. For example, it may be attached to the shoe surface of the heel portion or may be attached to the bottom of the shoe sole.

  In the case where the measurement device 102 includes a pair of devices illustrated in FIG. 2B, the measurement device 102 is attached to the left and right shoes, respectively. Preferably, it is mounted at the same place on the left and right, for example, the lower part of both ankles. By doing so, it is possible to measure so that there is no variation in the left and right stride (the stride when the right foot is in front and the stride when the left foot is in front).

  In addition, since the measuring device 101 (102) of the present invention is small (for example, stamp size), it can be kept worn by wearing it on shoes as in the above example, and the user can walk every time. In addition, it is not necessary to remove the measuring apparatus 101 (102).

  In general, a user has a plurality of sets of shoes, and a plurality of measuring devices 101 (102) can be attached to the plurality of sets of shoes. The number of measuring devices 101 (102) to be worn, the type of shoes, and the like are arbitrary by the user.

  Next, a description will be given of a configuration example in which installation, initial setting, and the like are performed so that the user uses the information processing apparatus 201 (FIG. 2).

  An information processing apparatus 201 (FIG. 2) used in this embodiment includes a reader / writer 301 and a computer 302 as shown in FIG. It is assumed that the reader / writer 301 and the computer 302 are connected via the USB 303. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reader / writer 301 and the computer 302 can be configured to perform wireless communication using optical communication or the like.

  In the information processing apparatus 201 (FIG. 2), as shown in FIG. 3B, the reader / writer 301 has second wireless communication means 201a, the computer 302 has information processing means 201b, information storage means 201c, and display. The information processing apparatus is configured by including the means 201d.

  First, as described in the second embodiment, software including a driver of the reader / writer 301, an information processing program file, management information, and the like is installed in the computer 302. Further, when the user uses this system, personal information is stored as management information in the information storage means 201c. The personal information includes, for example, information necessary for using this system, such as the height and weight of the user and the basal metabolic rate.

  Then, the reader / writer 301 is installed at an arbitrary place. Preferably, it is installed at the entrance of a building such as an entrance or an entrance. The entrance of the building is a place where the user always passes, and if the reader / writer 301 is installed at the place, the measurement apparatus 101 (102) communicates with the information processing apparatus 201 without being aware of the user. This is because it is a suitable place where you can enter the area.

  Here, a thin sheet type reader / writer 305 as shown in FIG. 3C can be used and laid at the entrance. By doing so, the measuring device 101 (102) attached to the shoe can always approach the reader / writer 305 and enter the communication area of the information processing device 201. Furthermore, when the measuring apparatus 101 (102) approaches the reader / writer 301 (305), the computer 302 can be automatically turned on to perform information processing.

  After wearing the measurement apparatus 101 (102) and initial setting of the information processing apparatus 201, the user walks while wearing shoes equipped with the measurement apparatus 101 (102). After walking while wearing shoes equipped with the measurement device 101 (102), the reader / writer 301 (305) installed at the entrance or the like is directly approached (that is, the measurement device 101 (102) communicates with the information processing device 201). The reader / writer 301 (305) receives the measurement information from the measurement device 101 (102), and the computer 302 obtains the walking distance, the amount of exercise, and the like of the user.

  After the initial setting, the user walks while wearing shoes equipped with the measuring device 101 (102), and then wears the shoes equipped with the measuring device 101 (102) while the reader / writer 301 ( 305), it is possible to obtain measurement information such as the number of steps, step length, and walking speed, information such as walking distance and amount of exercise, and information related to health management. The user can use this processing information for his / her health management.

  Next, an operation example of the measurement system in one usage form will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for explaining the operations of the measurement apparatus 101 and the information processing apparatus 201. Here, it is assumed that the measuring apparatus 101 is attached to a user's shoes, and the information processing apparatus 201 includes a reader / writer 301 and a computer 302. Furthermore, it is assumed that the reader / writer 301 is installed at the entrance of the house where the user lives. Moreover, in the following text in this Embodiment, in order to distinguish the operation | movement of a measurement system, and a user's operation | movement, a user's operation | movement is described in a parenthesis.

  First, the measurement device 101 measures the number of steps, the stride, and the step speed of the user (while the user is walking while wearing shoes equipped with the measurement device 101), and stores the measurement information.

  Then, when the user wears a shoe with the measuring device 101 and approaches the reader / writer 301, the measuring device 101 enters the wireless communication area of the information processing device 201. The information processing apparatus 201 detects that the measurement apparatus 101 has entered the wireless communication area and transmits an initialization signal to the measurement apparatus 101. When the measurement apparatus 101 receives the initialization signal, the measurement apparatus 101 initializes a circuit included in the first wireless communication unit 101 c and transmits individual identification information such as an individual identification number to the information processing apparatus 201.

  When the information processing apparatus 201 receives and confirms the individual identification information, the information processing apparatus 201 transmits an information request signal to the measurement apparatus 101. The measuring apparatus 101 transmits measurement information to the information processing apparatus 201 in response to the command.

  The information processing apparatus 201 receives the measurement information, obtains walking distance, exercise amount, and the like from the received information and management information, and selects information related to health management suitable for the user from the management information. And display processing information and health management information.

  On the other hand, when the information processing apparatus 201 confirms that the measurement information has been correctly received, the information processing apparatus 201 transmits a signal that informs the measurement apparatus 101 that the confirmation has been completed. When the measurement apparatus 101 receives the signal, the measurement information is deleted, and when the deletion is completed, the measurement apparatus 101 transmits a signal that informs the information processing apparatus 201 that the information has been deleted. Here, it is assumed that the measurement information storage unit 101b includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory.

  When the information processing apparatus 201 receives the signal, the information processing apparatus 201 transmits a stationary signal for stopping communication to the measurement apparatus 101. When the measurement apparatus 101 receives the stationary signal, the measurement apparatus 101 stops communication with the information processing apparatus 201.

  Here, the user does not need to operate the measuring apparatus 101 and the reader / writer 301. User. Once the reader / writer is approached, it is possible to take actions such as browsing the information displayed on the computer 302 by placing the shoe with the measuring device 101 close to the reader / writer 301. Here, an example is given in which it is assumed that a user who has walked comes home and takes off his shoes at the entrance and goes up to the room.

  Further, since the wireless communication between the measuring device 101 and the information processing device 201 is completed within a few μs to a few seconds, the shoe with the measuring device 101 is always placed close to the reader / writer 301. It is not limited to that. For example, when communication between the measurement apparatus 101 and the information processing apparatus 201 is completed, a configuration may be adopted in which a sound is emitted from the reader / writer 301 to notify the user that communication has been completed.

  The measuring apparatus 101 measures the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed of the user and stores the measurement information (when the user goes out again by wearing shoes equipped with the measuring apparatus 101).

  When the measurement apparatus 101 goes out of the wireless communication area with the information processing apparatus 201, the measurement apparatus 101 is not supplied with power for communication and cannot hold the communication stopped state. Then, by entering the communication area with the information processing apparatus 201 again and receiving the initialization signal, it becomes possible to resume communication.

  The form in which the user uses the measurement system of the present invention is not limited to walking as exercise. That is, the measurement system can be used in daily life such as commuting and shopping. In addition, when using a plurality of shoes in daily life, for example, when a shoe for commuting and a shoe for walking are different, the user should wear and use a plurality of measuring devices 101 on each shoe. Is also possible. Therefore, the user does not need to detach the measuring apparatus 101.

  Also, a plurality of users, for example, a plurality of people in one family, can share the information processing apparatus 201 and use the pedometer system of the present invention. In such a case, the measurement apparatus 101 (102) is configured to have a congestion control circuit. By doing so, when a plurality of measuring devices 101 (102) used by a plurality of users enter the communication area of the information processing device 201, the information processing device 201 communicates with the individual measuring devices 101 (102). Is possible.

  Further, by configuring the measurement apparatus 101 (102) to include the individual identification information storage unit 101d (110d, 120d), the information processing apparatus 201 can identify which user's measurement information. .

  Note that this embodiment mode can be freely combined with the above embodiment modes.

(Embodiment 4)
In the present embodiment, a case where the information processing apparatus 201 (FIG. 2) configuring the measurement system has a configuration for performing distributed processing will be described with an example.

  In recent years, fusion of computer technology and network technology has progressed, and if information processing is performed using a network, the location where information is acquired, the location where information processing is performed, the location where information is stored, etc. need to be the same. Sex is gone. It is possible to perform distributed processing by connecting devices having respective functions via a network.

  Also in the measurement system of the present invention, as the information processing apparatus 201, it is possible to use a portable terminal device or a computer connected via a network. That is, the second wireless communication unit 201a that reads measurement information and individual identification information from the measurement device 101 (102), the information processing unit 201b that processes the measurement information, the information storage unit 201c that stores the management information, and the information display The information processing apparatus 201 can be configured by connecting a plurality of devices including the display unit 201d to be connected via a network. Here, the network refers to a broad network including short-range wireless and line communication that connects devices in the same place, closed networks of companies and regions, networks that connect companies' networks, etc. Yes.

  FIG. 5A shows an example in which this system is used by using the information processing apparatus 201 including the measurement apparatus 101, the reader / writer 501, the computer 502, and the database 503.

  The measuring apparatus 101 has the configuration and functions described in the first embodiment. The reader / writer 501 is connected to the computer 502 via the USB 504. The database 503 is connected to the computer 502 via the network 505. For example, the database 503 is installed in an office of an organization that provides a measurement system.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the reader / writer 501 includes first wireless communication means 201a that performs wireless communication with the measurement apparatus 101. The computer 502 includes information processing means 201b and display means 201d. The database 503 includes information storage means 201c that stores management information.

  In this system having the above-described configuration, when the measuring apparatus 101 approaches the reader / writer 501, the measuring apparatus 101 and the information processing apparatus 201 communicate with each other. Specifically, the reader / writer 501 receives measurement information and individual identification information transmitted from the measurement apparatus 101. When the computer 502 receives the information, the computer 502 accesses the database 503 via the network 505, reads the management information, and performs information processing based on the information. Then, processing information and information on health management are displayed.

  As described in the third embodiment, the user performs initial setting of the information processing apparatus, installs the reader / writer 501 at an arbitrary place, and moves the measurement apparatus 101 being used closer to the measurement information and processing. You can see information.

  Next, FIG. 6A illustrates an example in which the present system is used using the measurement apparatus 101 and the information processing apparatus 201 including the mobile terminal apparatus 601 and the computer 602.

  The measuring apparatus 101 has the configuration and functions described in the first embodiment. The mobile terminal device 60 includes a display device 605 and performs long-distance wireless communication with the computer 602. The user wears the mobile terminal device 601 and walks.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the portable terminal device 601 is a first wireless communication unit 201a that performs wireless communication with the measurement device 101, a display unit 201d, and a first long unit that communicates with the computer 602. Distance wireless communication means 603 is provided. The computer 602 includes information processing means 201b, information storage means 201c, and second long distance wireless communication means 604. The second long-distance wireless communication unit 604 is a unit that communicates with the mobile terminal device 601.

  In the mobile terminal device 601 having the above configuration, the first wireless communication unit 201a receives the measurement information transmitted from the measurement device 101, and the first long-distance wireless communication unit 603 transmits the measurement information to the computer 602. . The computer 602 performs information processing based on the received measurement information, and transmits the processing information to the mobile terminal device 601. Here, the computer 602 communicates with the mobile terminal device 601 using the second long-distance wireless communication means 604. In the portable terminal device 601, the display device 605 displays the processing information received from the computer 602.

  In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 201 can be configured by a mobile terminal device 601, a computer 602, and a database. In this case, the database is connected to the computer 602 via a network. The computer 602 includes an information processing unit 201b and a second long-distance wireless communication unit 604, and the database includes an information storage unit 201c that stores management information.

  Further, the mobile terminal device 601 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the mobile terminal device 601 may be configured to include only the second wireless communication unit 201a and the display unit 201d. And the portable terminal device 601 can also be set as the structure which receives measurement information from the measuring device 101, and displays the said measurement information on the display means 201d.

  Furthermore, the mobile terminal device 601 may include the second wireless communication unit 201a, the information processing unit 201b, the information storage unit 201c, and the display unit 201d, and may be configured as the information processing device 201.

  Next, an example of a measurement system including the measurement device 701 having the display device 702 and the information processing device 201 will be described. FIG. 7A shows an example in which a measuring device 701 having a display device 702 is attached to a user's shoes.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the measurement device 701 includes a measurement unit 701a, a measurement information storage unit 701b, a first wireless communication unit 701c, an individual identification information storage unit 701d, and a display unit 701e. Further, the information processing apparatus 201 has the configuration described in the second embodiment. Here, it is assumed that the configuration of the information processing apparatus 202 is arbitrary by the user.

  The measuring device having the above-described configuration measures the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed of the user, obtains the walking distance from the number of steps and the step length, and displays those information. FIG. 7C illustrates an example of the appearance of a display device 702 that displays information.

  Examples of the display device included in the mobile terminal device 601 described with reference to FIG. 6 and the display device included in the measurement device 701 described with reference to FIG. 7 include a liquid crystal display device and an EL display device. However, the present invention is not limited only to these display devices.

  The mobile terminal device 601 and the measuring device 701 have display devices 605 and 702, and the display devices 605 and 702 display the number of steps, walking distance, current walking speed, etc., so that the user can You can know information about your own walking. Therefore, the user can adjust the pace distribution, the total walking distance, the walking time, etc., and perform exercise suitable for himself / herself.

  As described above, the measurement system according to the present invention performs distributed processing via a network, or the devices constituting the measurement system have means for realizing functions according to the needs of each user, thereby enabling each user. It is possible to provide a measurement system suitable for the above.

  Note that this embodiment mode can be freely combined with the above embodiment modes.

(Embodiment 5)
In the present embodiment, the measurement means included in the measurement apparatuses 101 and 102 described in the first embodiment and the method by which the measurement means measures the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed of the user will be described with examples.

  First, a sensor included in the measurement unit of the measurement apparatuses 101 and 102 will be described with an example. The measuring unit 101a included in the measuring device 101 includes a sensor that detects speed or acceleration. In addition to the speed sensor or the acceleration sensor, the measurement units 110a and 120a included in the pair of measurement apparatuses 102 include sensors that detect the distance between the measurement apparatuses.

  For example, speed sensors for detecting speed include those using the Doppler effect and those using a spatial filter. In the Doppler method, laser light, microwaves, ultrasonic waves, or the like are applied to a measurement object, and the velocity is measured from the frequency change of the reflected wave.

  For example, a speed sensor that uses a laser beam and uses the Doppler effect includes an optical head unit that irradiates the laser beam and a conversion unit that processes a Doppler frequency from the reflected light. The signal from the conversion unit becomes a voltage signal proportional to the moving speed of the target object, and can be converted into acceleration / displacement by inputting this signal to an analyzer or the like. It is also possible to analyze the behavior of the target object by frequency analysis of the signal.

  A speed sensor using a spatial filter has a configuration in which a speed signal is obtained by detecting movement of optical unevenness of a measurement object from an optical image formed on a light receiving element formed in a lattice shape.

  An acceleration sensor can also be used to measure the walking speed. As an acceleration sensor, there is an acceleration sensor that detects a displacement amount of a pendulum due to acceleration and converts it into an electric signal. Furthermore, there is an acceleration sensor that measures the acceleration from the feedback current at that time by setting the displacement amount of the pendulum to the zero position by an electric spring instead of the direct displacement amount of the pendulum.

  Next, examples of the distance sensor that detects the distance between the measuring devices 110 and 120 include a light wave distance sensor, an ultrasonic distance sensor, and the like.

  The light wave distance type sensor projects a reference signal from one side, attaches a reflection plate to the other side, and obtains a distance between two points by a phase difference of reflected light reception signals. A semiconductor laser or the like can be used as a light source for the reference projection signal. The ultrasonic distance sensor includes an ultrasonic wave (several tens KHz to several MHz) transmitter and receiver. The distance between the objects can be measured by measuring the time until the ultrasonic wave emitted from the transmitter is detected by the receiver.

  However, the sensor mentioned in the above example is an example, and it is also possible to detect speed, acceleration, distance, etc. using other sensors.

  In the first embodiment, the example has been described in which the measurement apparatus 101 includes a speed sensor or an acceleration sensor and measures the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed of the user. In the present embodiment, a method for measuring the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed of the user using the pair of measurement devices 102 described in the first embodiment will be described.

  First, the configuration of the measurement apparatus 102 will be described. The measuring means 110a and 120a included in the first measuring device 110 and the second measuring device 120 are sensors that detect the speed in the three-axis directions (x, y, and z directions) and the relative distance between the measuring devices. Sensor.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D, the surface on which the user walks is the xy plane, the z direction is the direction perpendicular to the ground, and the traveling direction is the y direction. In the present embodiment, a pair of measuring devices are attached to the heel of the shoe, and the first measuring device 110 is attached to the left foot and the second measuring device 120 is attached to the right foot. The present invention is not limited to this mounting method.

At a certain time t, the speed V ₁ (t) detected by the first measuring device 110 and the time change of the speed detected by the second measuring device 120 are V ₂ (t). In addition, since each measuring device detects the speed in the three-axis directions, the speed in each direction is expressed as V _x1 (t), V _x2 (t), V _y1 (t), V _y2 (t), V _z1 ( t) and V _z2 (t). Moreover, let the time change of the distance between measuring devices be R (t).

If t ₁ is the time when the distance between the measuring devices is the maximum at a certain time, and t ₂ is the time when the straight line connecting the measuring devices is parallel to the x-axis immediately after that, the number of steps, step length and step speed are as follows. Can be measured.

First, the number of steps will be described. The number of steps is measured by counting the number of times when the speed V ₁ (t) of the first measuring device 110 becomes 0 and when the speed V ₂ (t) of the second measuring device 120 becomes 0. It is possible. Therefore, the measuring means 110a and 120b have a counter in addition to the sensor, and measure the number of steps of the user by counting the number of times when the speed becomes zero.

Next, the stride will be described. The stride can be measured by adding the relative distances R (t ₁ ) and R (t ₂ ) between the measuring devices at time t ₁ and time t ₂ and the time integral of the speeds in the three-axis directions. is there.

Here, an example of a method for measuring the stride will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIGS. 8A and 8B show the position of the foot and the measuring device 102 at time t ₁ when the distance between the measuring devices becomes maximum during walking. 8A is a top view (xy plan view), and FIG. 8B is a side view (xz plan view). Here, a case where both feet have landed (see FIG. 8B) and the right foot has advanced in the y-axis direction relative to the left foot (see FIG. 8A) is illustrated.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a point where the first measuring device 110 is present is A, a point where the second measuring device 120 is present is B, a straight line passing through the point A parallel to the y-axis. Let C be the intersection of a straight line parallel to the x-axis and passing through point B. Furthermore, when the distance between the points AC is Y (t ₁ ) and the distance between the points BC is X (t ₁ ), the stride is given by Y (t ₁ ). Here, since the measuring device 102 detects the distance between the measuring devices (distance between the points AB) R (t ₁ ), the stride Y (t ₁ ) is given by the following equation.

Next, FIGS. 8C and 8D show the positions of the foot and the measuring device 102 at time t ₂ when the straight line connecting the measuring devices during walking is parallel to the x axis. 8C is a top view (xy plan view), and FIG. 8D is a side view (xz plan view). Here, the case is the next moment of FIGS. 8A and 8B, and the case where the left foot is rising in the z-axis direction relative to the right foot (see FIG. 8D) is illustrated.

As shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D, the point where the first measuring device 110 is present is O, the point where the second measuring device 120 is present is P, and the straight line passing through the point P parallel to the x-axis. Let Q be the intersection of a straight line parallel to the z axis and passing through point O. Furthermore, when the distance between the points OQ is Z (t ₂ ) and the distance between the points PQ is X (t ₂ ), the measuring apparatus 102 determines the distance between the measuring apparatuses (distance between the points OP) R (t ₂ ). Since Z (t ₂ ) is detected, it is given by the following equation.

Further, X (t ₂ ) is given by the following equation.

Assuming that the direction from the point Q to the point P is the positive direction of the x axis, X (t ₁ ) is given by the following equation using X (t ₂ ).

  From the above, the stride while walking can be obtained using the above formulas 1 to 4, and the measuring means 110a and 120a have an arithmetic circuit in addition to the sensor and the counter, and measure the stride of the user. Further, if the stride is different on the left and right, an average can be obtained. Further, when the stride changes, it is also possible to obtain a temporal change of the stride, an average value, or the like.

The walking speed is obtained by the average speed of V _y1 (t) or V _y2 (t). Therefore, the measuring means 110a and 120a have an arithmetic circuit, and measure a user's walking speed by calculating | requiring the average value of speed.

In addition, the measurement device 102 has a speed sensor that detects the speed in all directions, so that the calculation can be corrected. For example, when measuring the stride during travel, it is necessary to calculate the distance traveled while both feet are not landing on the ground and add them to Y (t ₁ ). This can be obtained by integrating the time change of the speed detected by the speed sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and it is possible to have only a sensor that detects a speed in a necessary direction.

  The measuring device 102 of the present invention is not limited to the example of the measuring method given in the present embodiment. For example, the measurement device 102 includes a sensor that detects acceleration, and can also measure the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed by calculation. In addition, it is not limited to whether or not it has a distance sensor, by measuring the number of steps, step length and step speed using a pair of measuring devices, to average the left and right measurement information, or correct the measurement information, Etc. can be performed.

  Prior art step counting devices only measured the number of steps. Regarding the stride, the user measured his / her average stride, and obtained the walking distance by the product of the stride and the number of steps. However, since the stride changes depending on the walking speed, how to walk, fatigue state, etc., it cannot be determined as one value. Therefore, an accurate walking distance cannot be obtained by the conventional method.

  Since the measuring devices 101 and 102 of the present invention are small, they can be worn on the user's feet (shoes). The user's stride can be measured by detecting the speed of the measuring devices 101 and 102, the distance between the measuring devices, and the like. Therefore, an accurate walking distance can be obtained.

  Furthermore, the momentum of the user can be accurately obtained by measuring the temporal change of the walking speed together with the walking distance.

  By using the measurement device and measurement system of the present invention, the user can obtain information on his / her walking such as the number of steps, step length, walking speed, walking distance, and amount of exercise, and information on health management in accordance with the information. Become.

  Note that this embodiment mode can be freely combined with the above embodiment modes.

(Embodiment 6)
In the present embodiment, the configuration of the measurement system and the circuit configuration of the measurement apparatus 101 will be described with an example. Note that the measurement apparatus 101 described here is an apparatus using a semiconductor element, and thus can be called a semiconductor device.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the measurement system includes a measurement device and an information processing device. The information processing apparatus includes the reader / writer 301 and the computer 302 as described in the third embodiment.

  The reader / writer 301 is connected to the computer 302 via an interface such as a USB, and performs wireless communication with the measurement apparatus 101 under the control of the computer 302. Note that the reader / writer 301 and the computer 302 can also be configured to perform wireless communication such as infrared communication.

  The measuring apparatus 101 includes a measuring unit 101a, a measurement information storage unit 101b, a first wireless communication unit 101c, and an individual identification information storage unit 101d.

  The measuring unit 101 a includes a power supply device 911, a first sensor 912, a second sensor 913, an A / D conversion circuit 914, a counter 915, and an arithmetic circuit 916.

  The power supply device supplies driving power into the measuring means. The first sensor and the second sensor detect physical quantities such as speed and acceleration. The A / D conversion circuit converts information detected by the sensor into a digital signal. The counter and the arithmetic circuit calculate from the detection information to obtain the number of steps, the step length, and the step speed.

  The measurement information storage unit includes a first memory 909 which is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The first memory stores information measured by the measuring means.

  The first wireless communication unit 101c includes an antenna 901, a power supply circuit 902, a clock generation circuit 903, a demodulation circuit 904, a composite circuit 906, a control circuit 908, an encoding circuit 907, and a modulation circuit 905. Further, instead of the antenna 901, a resonance circuit including an antenna and a capacitor can be provided. Furthermore, a central processing unit (CPU), a congestion control circuit, and the like can be provided.

  The antenna receives electromagnetic waves emitted from the reader / writer and generates an alternating voltage. The power supply circuit generates a constant drive voltage from the AC voltage input from the antenna and supplies it to each circuit. The demodulating circuit demodulates information from the reader / writer received by the antenna, and further composites it with a composite circuit. The control circuit has functions such as determining the combined information or controlling the first memory and the second memory. The encoding circuit and the modulation circuit decode and encode information stored in the first memory and the second memory.

  The measuring device 101 can be integrally formed as a semiconductor device including an antenna. However, a wiring for connecting an antenna is formed in the semiconductor device, and a separately manufactured antenna can be connected to the wiring to constitute a measurement device.

  The measurement apparatus having the above configuration obtains drive power for performing wireless communication from a reader / writer via electromagnetic waves. Specifically, the antenna 901 receives an electromagnetic wave emitted from the reader / writer 301 and generates an AC signal at both ends of the antenna. The generated AC signal becomes the power of the first wireless communication unit 101c, and further includes information such as a command transmitted from the reader / writer 301. The power supply circuit 902 generates a power supply potential by rectifying an AC signal generated in the antenna 901 with a diode and smoothing it using a capacitor, and supplies the power supply potential to each circuit. The clock generation circuit 903 generates a clock signal having a necessary frequency based on the AC signal generated in the antenna 901. The first wireless communication means operates by the power supply potential generated by the power supply circuit and the clock signal generated by the clock generation circuit, and wireless communication with the reader / writer can be performed.

  In addition, the control circuit 908 extracts a command from the combined signal and controls the first memory and the second memory to execute a series of operations according to the command. Further, a circuit for checking whether the demodulated signal has an error may be provided.

  The individual identification information storage means includes a second memory 910 that is a write-once nonvolatile memory. Since the second memory stores the individual identification information, it cannot be rewritten, and it is desirable that the retained information is highly safe.

  In this embodiment, the example in which the measurement apparatus 101 performs wireless communication by receiving power supply from the reader / writer 301 is described, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the measurement device 101 has a power supply device such as a battery inside, and can also perform measurement and wireless communication by supplying power from the power supply device.

Note that this embodiment mode can be freely combined with the above embodiment modes.
(Embodiment 7)

  The measurement device of the present invention having the circuit configuration described in Embodiment 6 is a semiconductor device including a plurality of semiconductor elements. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of circuits (for example, a power supply circuit and a control circuit) configured with semiconductor elements, and a memory configured with semiconductor elements and memory elements. Therefore, in this embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor element and a memory element will be described.

  The measuring device according to the present invention is a semiconductor device that is thin and small enough to be worn on a user's shoes. Such a semiconductor device can be manufactured by manufacturing a semiconductor element over an insulating substrate such as glass or a flexible substrate. In addition, by using an organic memory having a memory element using an organic compound as the memory, a small and inexpensive semiconductor device can be manufactured.

  Note that an organic memory refers to a memory including a memory element having a structure in which a layer having an organic compound or a mixed layer of an organic compound and an inorganic compound is interposed between a pair of electrodes. A known technique may be used for the decoder constituting the memory. In addition, a memory cell included in the memory can be formed using only the memory element, or can be formed using a transistor and the memory element. In this specification, the layer having the organic compound or the mixed layer of the organic compound and the inorganic compound is collectively referred to as an organic compound layer.

  In this embodiment mode, a semiconductor element and the memory element are formed over a glass substrate. After that, an example in which a semiconductor element and a memory element manufactured over a glass substrate are peeled and bonded to a flexible substrate, film, or the like will be described. In this manner, a thin and small semiconductor device can be manufactured.

  First, the peeling layer 4002 is formed over the glass substrate 4001 (FIG. 10A). In addition to glass, a substrate such as quartz, silicon, or metal can be used as the substrate. The peeling layer 4002 is formed by partially or partially forming an element or a compound such as metal or silicon over the entire surface of the substrate. Note that in the case of manufacturing a memory device and a semiconductor device over the glass substrate 4001, the separation layer 4002 is not necessarily formed. Next, an insulating layer 4003 is formed so as to cover the separation layer 4002. The insulating layer 4003 is formed using silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or the like. Next, a semiconductor layer 4004 is formed over the insulating layer 4003, the semiconductor layer is crystallized by laser crystallization, thermal crystallization using a metal catalyst, or the like, and then patterned into a desired shape. Next, a gate insulating layer 4005 is formed so as to cover the semiconductor layer. The gate insulating layer 4005 is formed using silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or the like. The gate insulating layer 4005 can be formed with a high-density plasma CVD apparatus, whereby an insulating layer with a low film pressure and high insulating properties can be formed.

  Next, the gate electrode layer 4006 is formed. The gate electrode layer 4006 is formed using a conductive element or compound and patterned into a desired shape. When patterning is performed by photolithography, the gate electrode width can be reduced and the performance of the transistor can be improved by etching the resist mask with plasma or the like. FIG. 10A shows the case where the gate electrode layer is formed in a stacked structure.

  Next, an impurity element is added to the semiconductor layer 4004 to form an N-type impurity region 4007 and a P-type impurity region 4008. The impurity region is formed by forming a resist mask by photolithography and adding an impurity element such as phosphorus, arsenic, or boron. Next, an insulating layer is formed using a nitrogen compound or the like, and the insulating layer is anisotropically etched in the vertical direction, so that an insulating layer 4009 (sidewall) in contact with the side surface of the gate electrode is formed (FIG. 10B). reference). Next, an impurity is added to the semiconductor layer having the N-type impurity region, the first N-type impurity region 4010 immediately below the sidewall 4009, and the second N-type impurity having a higher impurity concentration than the first impurity region. Region 4011 is formed. Through the above steps, an N-type transistor 4012 and a P-type transistor 4013 are formed.

  Next, an insulating layer 4014 is formed so as to cover the transistors 4012 and 4013 (see FIG. 10C). The insulating layer 4014 is formed using an insulating inorganic compound, an organic compound, or the like. FIG. 10C illustrates an insulating layer 4014 formed with a stacked structure. Next, a contact hole that exposes the second N-type impurity region 4011 and the P-type impurity region 4008 is formed, a conductive layer 4015 is formed so as to fill the contact hole, and the conductive layer 4015 is formed as desired. Patterned into a shape. The conductive layer 4015 is formed using a conductive metal element, compound, or the like. Next, an insulating layer 4016 is formed so as to cover the conductive layer 4015. The insulating layer 4016 is formed using an insulating inorganic compound, an organic compound, or the like.

  Next, the formation of the memory element is illustrated in FIG. First, a contact hole exposing the conductive layer 4015 is formed, and a conductive layer 4017 is formed so as to fill the contact hole. The conductive layer 4017 is formed using a conductive metal element, compound, or the like, and serves as a first conductive layer included in the memory element. Next, an insulating layer 4018 is formed so as to cover the conductive layer 4017. The insulating layer 4018 is formed using an inorganic compound, an organic compound, or the like having high insulating properties in order to electrically isolate adjacent memory elements. Next, a contact hole exposing the conductive layer 4017 is formed. In the case of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an antenna or a wiring for connecting the antenna is formed here. FIG. 11A illustrates an antenna 4019. Next, the organic compound layer 4020 is formed so as to be in contact with the first conductive layer 4017, and then the conductive layer 4021 is formed. The organic compound layer 4020 is formed using an organic compound whose electrical characteristics change by applying an electrical action. The conductive layer 4021 is formed of a conductive metal element, a compound, or the like, and serves as a second conductive layer included in the memory element. Next, the protective layer 4022 is formed. The protective layer 4022 is formed using an insulating compound, resin, or the like.

  FIG. 11B illustrates a memory element having a structure different from the above. In the memory element, the conductive layer 4015 formed in FIG. 11A to connect the transistor and the memory element is used as the first conductive layer of the memory element. First, a contact hole exposing the second N-type impurity region 4011 and the P-type impurity region 4008 is formed, a conductive layer 4015 is formed so as to fill the contact hole, and the conductive layer 4015 is formed in a desired shape. Pattern into shape. The conductive layer 4015 is a first conductive layer included in the memory element. Next, the organic compound layer 4020 is formed so as to be in contact with the first conductive layer 4015, and then the conductive layer 4021 is formed. The organic compound layer 4020 is formed using an organic compound whose electrical characteristics change by applying an electrical action. The conductive layer 4021 is formed of a conductive metal element, a compound, or the like, and serves as a second conductive layer included in the memory element. Next, the protective layer 4022 is formed. The protective layer 4022 is formed using an insulating compound, resin, or the like. By forming the memory element in the contact hole in this manner, the semiconductor device can be reduced in size and thickness. In addition, since the conductive layer 4017 and the insulating layer 4018 are not necessary, a manufacturing process can be reduced and a memory with reduced cost can be provided.

  Each layer included in the insulating layer, the conductive layer, the semiconductor element, and the memory element can be formed with a single-layer structure of a single material or a stacked structure of a plurality of materials.

Any semiconductor such as an amorphous semiconductor, a microcrystalline semiconductor, a microcrystalline semiconductor, a polycrystalline semiconductor, an organic semiconductor, or the like may be used for a semiconductor layer included in the semiconductor element manufactured through the above steps. In order to obtain a semiconductor element having good characteristics, a crystalline semiconductor layer (low-temperature polysilicon layer) crystallized at a temperature of 200 to 600 degrees (preferably 350 to 500 degrees), or a temperature of 600 degrees or more. A crystalline semiconductor layer (high-temperature polysilicon layer) crystallized in (1) can be used. In order to obtain a semiconductor element with better characteristics, a semiconductor layer crystallized using a metal element as a catalyst or a semiconductor layer crystallized by a laser irradiation method may be used. Alternatively, a semiconductor layer formed by a plasma CVD method using SiH ₄ / F ₂ gas, SiH ₄ / H ₂ gas, or the like, or a semiconductor layer that is irradiated with laser light may be used. The semiconductor layer of the semiconductor element in the circuit is preferably formed so as to have a crystal grain boundary extending in parallel with the carrier flow direction (channel length direction). Such an active layer can be formed using a continuous wave laser (which can be abbreviated as CWLC) or a pulse laser operating at 10 MHz or higher, preferably 60 to 100 MHz. The thickness of the semiconductor layer is 20 nm to 200 nm, preferably 50 nm to 150 nm. The semiconductor layer (particularly the channel formation region) has a concentration of 1 × 10 ¹⁹ atoms / cm ³ to 1 × 10 ²² atoms / cm ³ , preferably 1 × 10 ¹⁹ atoms / cm ^{3 to} 5 × 10 ²⁰ atoms. By adding hydrogen or a halogen element at a concentration of / cm ³ , it is possible to obtain an active layer with fewer defects and less cracking.

The transistor manufactured as described above has an S value (subthreshold value) of 0.35 V / sec or less, preferably 0.09 to 0.25 V / sec. Further, the mobility may have a characteristic of 10 cm ² / Vs or higher. Further, the transistor is a ring oscillator that operates at a power supply voltage of 3 to 5 V, and desirably has a characteristic of 1 MHz or more, preferably 10 MHz or more. In addition, the transistor described in this embodiment has a structure in which a semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer, and a gate electrode layer are sequentially stacked over a substrate. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the gate electrode layer, It is also possible to adopt a structure in which an insulating film and a semiconductor layer are sequentially stacked. In this embodiment, the N-type transistor has a first N-type impurity region and a second N-type impurity region. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the impurity concentration in the impurity region is uniform. Also good.

  As the material of the organic compound layer, a material whose property or state is changed by an electric action, an optical action, a thermal action, or the like is used. For example, a material that changes the nature or state of the organic compound by applying a voltage and short-circuits the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer included in the memory element is used. Therefore, the thickness of the organic compound layer is 5 nm to 100 nm, preferably 10 nm to 60 nm. Such an organic compound layer can be formed using various inorganic materials or organic compound materials, and can be formed by a vapor deposition method, a spin coating method, a droplet discharge method, or the like. Note that materials that can be used for the organic compound layer will be described in detail later.

  Further, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer can be formed from a material having conductivity. For example, it can be formed of a film made of aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), or silicon (Si), or an alloy film using these elements. Alternatively, a light-transmitting material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), indium tin oxide containing silicon oxide, or indium oxide containing 2 to 20% zinc oxide can be used. Further, as a material for the protective layers 4022 and 4026, silicon oxide or silicon nitride can be used as the inorganic material. As the organic material, polyimide, acrylic, polyamide, polyimide amide, resist, benzocyclobutene, siloxane, or polysilazane can be used. Note that a siloxane resin corresponds to a resin including a Si—O—Si bond. Siloxane has a skeleton structure formed of a bond of silicon (Si) and oxygen (O). As a substituent, an organic group containing at least hydrogen (for example, an alkyl group or an aromatic hydrocarbon) is used. A fluoro group may be used as a substituent. Alternatively, an organic group containing at least hydrogen and a fluoro group may be used as a substituent. Polysilazane is formed using a polymer material having a bond of silicon (Si) and nitrogen (N) as a starting material. By forming a protective layer using these materials, planarity can be improved and intrusion of impurity elements can be prevented.

  Further, the semiconductor element and the memory element may be provided over a plurality of layers. In the case of manufacturing with a multilayer structure, a low dielectric constant material is preferably used as a material for the interlayer insulating film in order to reduce parasitic capacitance between layers. Examples thereof include resin materials such as epoxy resins and acrylic resins, and compound materials made by polymerization of siloxane polymers. If parasitic capacitance is reduced in a multi-layer structure, it is possible to reduce the area, increase the operation speed, and reduce power consumption. In addition, reliability can be improved by providing a protective layer for preventing alkali metal contamination. The protective layer may be provided with an inorganic material such as aluminum nitride or a silicon nitride film so as to wrap the semiconductor element in the circuit or to wrap the entire circuit.

  Next, a method for peeling the semiconductor element and the memory element configured as described above from the glass substrate 4001 and attaching them to a flexible substrate, film, or the like will be described with reference to FIGS. When the semiconductor element and the memory element are separated from the glass substrate 4001 and attached to a flexible substrate, film, or the like, the thickness of the semiconductor element and the memory element is 5 μm or less, preferably 1 μm to 3 μm. desirable.

  First, an opening 4027 is formed so that the peeling layer 4002 is exposed, an etchant is introduced into the opening 4027, and the peeling layer 4002 is partially removed (see FIG. 12A). Next, the first flexible substrate 4029 is bonded from the top surface direction of the glass substrate, and the layer 4028 including the semiconductor element and the memory element is separated from the glass substrate 4001 with the separation layer 4002 as a boundary, whereby the semiconductor element and the memory element are stored. The layer 4028 having elements is transferred to the first flexible substrate 4029 side. Next, a flexible memory device or a semiconductor device is manufactured by adhering the second flexible substrate 4030 to a side where the layer 4028 having a semiconductor element and a memory element is in contact with the glass substrate 4001. (See FIG. 12B). As the flexible substrate, a plastic film, paper, or the like can be used. In order to minimize the influence from the outside, the first flexible substrate 4029 and the second flexible substrate 4030 have the same thickness, and the layer 4028 including the semiconductor element and the memory element has a cross section. It is desirable to exist in the center of

  In the above process, in the case where only the wiring for connecting the antenna to the layer 4028 including the semiconductor element and the memory element is manufactured, the antenna is manufactured over the first flexible substrate 4029 and bonded to the layer 4028 including the semiconductor element and the memory element. Thus, a semiconductor device can be manufactured. Further, in the case where the layer 4028 including a semiconductor element and a memory element is attached to a flexible substrate having a curved surface, if the carrier flow direction (channel length direction) of the semiconductor element and the direction of the curve are the same, the semiconductor element is obtained. The influence of can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, a method of transferring the layer 4028 having a semiconductor element and a memory element to the first flexible substrate 4029 after etching the peeling layer 4002 from the opening 4027 is described. It is not limited. For example, after the separation layer 4002 is removed only by an etching step, the layer 4028 having a semiconductor element and a memory element is transferred to another substrate, or the first flexible substrate 4029 is attached without providing the opening 4027. In addition, there are a method of peeling the layer 4028 having a semiconductor element and a memory element from a glass substrate, and a method of polishing the glass substrate 4001 from the back surface to obtain a layer 4028 having a semiconductor element and a memory element. It is also possible to carry out by combining the methods as appropriate. If a step of transferring the layer 4028 having the semiconductor element and the memory element to another substrate by a method other than polishing the glass substrate from the back surface is used, the glass substrate 4001 for manufacturing the layer 4028 having the semiconductor element and the memory element. Has the advantage of being reusable.

  As described in this embodiment mode, a thin and small measuring device can be manufactured by forming a semiconductor element and a memory element over an insulating substrate. In addition, manufacturing costs can be reduced by manufacturing the semiconductor element included in the driver circuit and the memory element included in the memory over the same substrate. The organic memory is a write-once non-volatile memory, and is preferable as a memory constituting the individual identification information storage means included in the measuring device. Since the write-once type organic memory cannot rewrite stored information, the safety of information can be increased.

  Here, an example of the material of the organic compound layer constituting the memory element of the organic memory described in this embodiment will be given. As an organic compound material, for example, 4,4′-bis [N- (1-naphthyl) -N-phenyl-amino] -biphenyl (abbreviation: α-NPD) or 4,4′-bis [N- (3 -Methylphenyl) -N-phenyl-amino] -biphenyl (abbreviation: TPD), 4,4 ′, 4 ″ -tris (N, N-diphenyl-amino) -triphenylamine (abbreviation: TDATA), 4, 4 ′, 4 ″ -tris [N- (3-methylphenyl) -N-phenyl-amino] -triphenylamine (abbreviation: MTDATA) and 4,4′-bis (N- (4- (N, N -Di-m-tolylamino) phenyl) -N-phenylamino) biphenyl (abbreviation: DNTPD) and other aromatic amine-based compounds (that is, having a benzene ring-nitrogen bond), polyvinylcarbazole (abbreviation: PVK) Phthalocyanine (abbreviation: H2Pc), copper phthalocyanine (abbreviation: CuPc), or vanadyl phthalocyanine (abbreviation: VOPc), and can be used phthalocyanine compounds such as. These materials are substances having a high hole transporting property.

  In addition, as other organic compound materials, for example, tris (8-quinolinolato) aluminum (abbreviation: Alq3), tris (4-methyl-8-quinolinolato) aluminum (abbreviation: Almq3), bis (10-hydroxybenzo [h] -Quinolinato) beryllium (abbreviation: BeBq2), bis (2-methyl-8-quinolinolato) -4-phenylphenolato-aluminum (abbreviation: BAlq), a material made of a metal complex having a quinoline skeleton or benzoquinoline skeleton, Bis [2- (2-hydroxyphenyl) benzoxazolate] zinc (abbreviation: Zn (BOX) 2), bis [2- (2-hydroxyphenyl) benzothiazolate] zinc (abbreviation: Zn (BTZ) 2), etc. Materials such as metal complexes with oxazole and thiazole ligands can also be used Kill. These materials are substances having a high electron transporting property.

  In addition to metal complexes, 2- (4-biphenylyl) -5- (4-tert-butylphenyl) -1,3,4-oxadiazole (abbreviation: PBD), 1,3-bis [5- (P-tert-butylphenyl) -1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl] benzene (abbreviation: OXD-7), 3- (4-tert-butylphenyl) -4-phenyl-5- ( 4-biphenylyl) -1,2,4-triazole (abbreviation: TAZ), 3- (4-tert-butylphenyl) -4- (4-ethylphenyl) -5- (4-biphenylyl) -1,2, Compounds such as 4-triazole (abbreviation: p-EtTAZ), bathophenanthroline (abbreviation: BPhen), bathocuproin (abbreviation: BCP), and the like can be used.

  The organic compound layer may have a single layer structure or a laminated structure. In the case of a laminated structure, a laminated structure can be selected from the above materials. Further, the organic compound material and the light emitting material may be stacked. As a light-emitting material, 4-dicyanomethylene-2-methyl-6- (1,1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidyl-9-enyl) -4H-pyran (abbreviation: DCJT), 4-dicyanomethylene-2 -T-butyl-6- (1,1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidyl-9-enyl) -4H-pyran, periflanthene, 2,5-dicyano-1,4-bis (10-methoxy-1) , 1,7,7-tetramethyljulolidyl-9-enyl) benzene, N, N′-dimethylquinacridone (abbreviation: DMQd), coumarin 6, coumarin 545T, tris (8-quinolinolato) aluminum (abbreviation: Alq3) 9,9′-bianthryl, 9,10-diphenylanthracene (abbreviation: DPA), 9,10-bis (2-naphthyl) anthracene (abbreviation: DNA), , 11-tetra -t- butyl perylene (abbreviation: TBP) and the like.

  Alternatively, a layer in which the light emitting material is dispersed may be used. In the layer in which the light emitting material is dispersed, the base material includes an anthracene derivative such as 9,10-di (2-naphthyl) -2-tert-butylanthracene (abbreviation: t-BuDNA), 4,4′- Carbazole derivatives such as bis (N-carbazolyl) biphenyl (abbreviation: CBP), bis [2- (2-hydroxyphenyl) pyridinato] zinc (abbreviation: Znpp2), bis [2- (2-hydroxyphenyl) benzoxazolate A metal complex such as zinc (abbreviation: ZnBOX) or the like can be used. In addition, tris (8-quinolinolato) aluminum (abbreviation: Alq3), 9,10-bis (2-naphthyl) anthracene (abbreviation: DNA), bis (2-methyl-8-quinolinolato) -4-phenylphenolato-aluminum (Abbreviation: BAlq) or the like can be used.

  Such an organic compound material has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 50 ° C. to 300 ° C., preferably 80 ° C. to 120 ° C., in order to change its properties by thermal action or the like.

  Alternatively, a material in which a metal oxide is mixed in an organic compound material or a light emitting material may be used. Note that the material in which the metal oxide is mixed includes a state where the organic compound material or the fermentation material and the metal oxide are mixed or stacked. Specifically, it refers to a state formed by a co-evaporation method using a plurality of evaporation sources. Such a material can be called an organic-inorganic composite material.

  For example, when a metal oxide is mixed with a substance having a high hole transporting property, the metal oxide includes vanadium oxide, molybdenum oxide, niobium oxide, rhenium oxide, tungsten oxide, ruthenium oxide, titanium oxide. It is preferable to use an oxide, chromium oxide, zirconium oxide, hafnium oxide, or tantalum oxide.

  In the case where a substance having a high electron transporting property and a metal oxide are mixed, it is preferable to use lithium oxide, calcium oxide, sodium oxide, potassium oxide, or magnesium oxide as the metal oxide.

  For the organic compound layer, a material whose properties are changed by an electric action, an optical action, or a thermal action may be used. For example, a compound that generates an acid by absorbing light (photo acid generator) is used. Doped conjugated polymers can also be used. As the conjugated polymer, polyacetylenes, polyphenylene vinylenes, polythiophenes, polyanilines, polyphenylene ethynylenes, and the like can be used. As the photoacid generator, arylsulfonium salts, aryliodonium salts, o-nitrobenzyl tosylate, arylsulfonic acid p-nitrobenzyl esters, sulfonylacetophenones, Fe-allene complex PF6 salts and the like can be used.

  Note that this embodiment mode can be freely combined with the above embodiment modes.

The figure explaining the structure of the measuring device of this invention. The figure explaining the structure of the measurement system of this invention. The figure explaining the example of a use form of the measurement system of this invention. The figure explaining operation | movement of the measurement system of this invention. The figure explaining the example of a use form of the measurement system of this invention. The figure explaining the example of a use form of the measurement system of this invention. The figure explaining the structure of the measuring device of this invention. The figure explaining the example of the measuring method of this invention. The figure explaining the circuit structural example of the measuring device of this invention 8A and 8B illustrate a method for manufacturing a semiconductor element and a memory element included in a measurement device. 8A and 8B illustrate a method for manufacturing a semiconductor element and a memory element included in a measurement device. 8A and 8B illustrate a method for manufacturing a semiconductor element and a memory element included in a measurement device.

Explanation of symbols

101 measuring apparatus 101a measuring means 101a measuring means 101b measuring information storage means 101b measuring information storage means 101c wireless communication means 101c wireless communication means 101c wireless communication means 101d individual identification information storage means 101d individual identification information storage means 110 first measuring apparatus 110a Measurement unit 110b Measurement information storage unit 110c First wireless communication unit 110d Individual identification information storage unit 102 Information processing device 120 Second measurement device 201 Information processing device 201a Second wireless communication unit 201b Information processing unit 201c Information storage unit 201d Display means 301 Reader / writer 302 Computer 303 USB (Universal Serial Bus)
305 Reader / Writer 501 Reader / Writer 502 Computer 503 Database 504 USB
505 Network 601 Portable terminal device 602 Computer 603 First long distance wireless communication means 604 Second long distance wireless communication means 605 Display device 701 Measuring device 701a Measuring means 701b Measurement information storage means 701c Wireless communication means 701d Individual identification information storage means 701e Display means 702 Display device 901 Antenna 902 Power supply circuit 903 Clock generation circuit 904 Demodulation circuit 905 Modulation circuit 906 Compounding circuit 907 Encoding circuit 908 Control circuit 909 Memory 910 Memory 911 Power supply device 912 First sensor 913 Second sensor 914 A / D conversion circuit 915 counter 916 arithmetic circuit 4001 glass substrate 4002 peeling layer 4003 insulating layer 4004 semiconductor layer 4005 gate insulating layer 4006 gate electrode layer 4007 N-type impurity region 4008 P-type Impurity region 4009 Insulating layer 4010 N-type impurity region 4011 N-type impurity region 4012 N-type transistor 4013 P-type transistor 4014 Insulating layer 4015 Conductive layer 4016 Insulating layer 4017 Conductive layer 4018 Insulating layer 4019 Antenna 4020 Organic compound layer 4021 Conductive layer 4022 Protective layer 4027 Opening 4028 Layer 4029 having semiconductor element and memory element First flexible substrate 4030 Second flexible substrate

Claims (15)

A measuring means for measuring the number of steps, step length, and step speed of the user;
Measurement information storage means for storing measurement information including measured information and measurement time;
A measuring apparatus comprising: a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with the outside. A measuring means for measuring the number of steps, step length, and step speed of the user;
Measurement information storage means for storing measurement information including measured information and measurement time;
Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the outside,
The measurement means includes a sensor, an A / D conversion circuit, a counter, an arithmetic circuit, and a power supply device.
The measurement information storage means has a memory,
The wireless communication means includes an antenna, a power supply circuit, a demodulation circuit, a modulation circuit, an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, and a control circuit. In claim 2,
The measurement apparatus includes a solid identification information storage unit that stores solid identification information including a solid identification number for identifying one measurement apparatus from a plurality of measurement apparatuses. In claim 3,
The individual identification information storage means has a write-once nonvolatile memory. In claim 2,
The measuring device is characterized in that the memory is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. In claim 2,
The measuring device is a sensor that detects a speed or an acceleration. In claim 1 or claim 2,
The measuring device is composed of a pair,
The measuring device includes a sensor for detecting speed or acceleration and a sensor for detecting a distance between the pair of measuring devices. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 7,
The measurement apparatus is mounted on a user's foot, socks, or shoes. It consists of a measuring device and an information processing device,
The measuring device is
A measuring means for measuring the number of steps, step length and step speed of the user;
Measurement information storage means for storing measurement information including measured information and measurement time;
A first wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the information processing apparatus;
The information processing apparatus includes:
Second wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the measuring device;
Information storage means for storing management information having personal information of the user in a database;
Information processing means for performing information processing from the measurement information and management information;
Display means for displaying the processed information;
A measurement system characterized by comprising: Consists of a measuring device and an information processing device having a reader / writer and a computer,
The measuring device is
A measuring means for measuring the number of steps, step length and step speed of the user;
Measurement information storage means for storing measurement information including measured information and measurement time;
A first wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the information processing apparatus;
The reader / writer is
A second wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the measuring device;
The computer
Information storage means for storing management information having personal information of the user in a database;
Information processing means for performing information processing from the measurement information and the management information;
Display means for displaying the processed information;
A measurement system characterized by comprising: Consists of a measuring device and an information processing device having a reader / writer, a computer and a database,
The measuring device is
A measuring means for measuring the number of steps, step length and step speed of the user;
Measurement information storage means for storing measurement information including measured information and measurement time;
A first wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the information processing apparatus;
The reader / writer is
A second wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with the measuring device;
The computer
Information processing means for performing information processing from the measurement information and management information;
Display means for displaying the processed information;
The database is
Information storage means for storing the management information having personal information and measurement information of the user in a database;
The measurement system, wherein the computer and the database are connected via a network. In claims 9 to 11,
9. The measuring system according to claim 1, wherein the measuring apparatus is the measuring apparatus according to claim 1. In any one of Claims 9-12,
The second wireless communication means includes an antenna, a demodulation circuit, a modulation circuit, an encoding circuit, a decoding circuit, and a control circuit,
The information storage means has a hard disk,
The information processing means has a volatile memory, a central processing unit, a memory control circuit,
The display system includes a display device. The measuring device measures the number of steps, step length and step speed of the user, stores the measurement information,
An information processing device receives measurement information from the measurement device,
Obtain the walking distance and momentum of the user from the received information,
A measurement method characterized by displaying processing information. The measuring device measures the number of steps, step length and step speed of the user,
Memorize measurement information including measured information and measurement time,
The information processing device transmits an information request signal to the measurement device,
The measurement device transmits measurement information and individual identification information to the information processing device in response to the information request signal,
The information processing device receives information from the measuring device;
From the received information and the stored management information, the user's walking distance and exercise amount are obtained,
A measurement method characterized by displaying processing information.

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