JP6832549B2 - Vibration sensor and vibration signal extractor - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vibration sensor unit for detecting vibration and a device using the same, and more particularly to a vibration sensor unit including a film-shaped vibration sensor and a device using the same. For example
The vibration sensor unit is a vibration signal extraction device and a vibration signal extraction method that detects body vibrations generated by animals, especially humans, with a vibration sensor and extracts beating vibrations, lung respiration vibrations, voice vibrations, etc. from the detected body vibration signals. A person who has made it possible to detect human biological information (absence, life or death, health condition, psychological condition, emotion, intention, etc.) by extracted beat vibration, lung respiration vibration, voice vibration, etc. It can also be used in the biometric information detection device and the biometric information detection method.

As a means for detecting human biological information, methods using various sensors have been proposed. If you just want to detect the presence or absence of a person, as an unrestrained method that does not restrain the person, a pyroelectric infrared sensor that detects infrared rays emitted by the human body and a pressure-sensitive conductive rubber sensor that detects the weight of the person For example, it is used for a switch for opening and closing an automatic door, an automatic washing switch for a toilet, a human intrusion detector, and the like. However, with these methods, it was not possible to detect not only the presence or absence of a person but also the state of a person.

For example, in nursing care work, it was necessary to grasp the condition of a patient sleeping in bed, but in order to reduce the burden on the caregiver, the condition of the patient is automatically monitored and when there is an abnormality. ,
A system for notifying the outside is desired. Conventionally, a method that is in close contact with the patient's body, such as attaching a sphygmomanometer to the fingertip or wrapping a vibrometer around the waist, has been used without restricting the movement of the patient during sleep. Even with these methods, the sensor is in close contact with the body, so
It is highly reliable in that a signal is always obtained, but there are problems such as dislike of the patient and the inability to grasp the condition when the sensor is removed. Therefore, a non-binding type system has been considered (Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1 discloses a person presence / absence detection method for detecting the presence / absence of a person using a non-restraint type vibration sensor, and a person presence / absence detection device. In the method of Patent Document 1, a vibration sensor is installed on the upper or lower part of the bed pad or mattress, and the body vibration signal detected by the vibration sensor is amplified by the differential signal amplification amplifier. Heartbeat, which is a body vibration caused by the target person (heart rate conversion: 30 to 240 times /
Minutes, frequency band conversion: 0.5-4Hz vibration, lung respiratory activity (respiratory rate conversion: 60 times /
It is disclosed that vibration due to minutes or less, frequency band conversion: 1 Hz or less) and snoring vibration caused by snoring are extracted by using a separation filter function. According to the method for detecting the absence of a person and the device for detecting the absence of a person in Patent Document 1, a state in which there is a pulsating vibration caused by the beating of the heart, a pulmonary respiration vibration caused by a pulmonary respiratory activity, or a swelling vibration is a predetermined existence. If the duration exceeds the specified duration, the person is in the specified location, and if the absence of beating vibration, lung breathing vibration, or groin vibration exceeds the specified absence duration, the person is placed in the specified location. It is determined that he is absent.

In the human presence / absence detection device of Patent Document 1, a body vibration signal is acquired by using one vibration sensor, and the body vibration signal is separated by a filter to obtain four signals of respiration, heartbeat, chin, and body movement. It was. The filter is a low-pass filter composed of capacitors, resistors, operational amplifiers, etc.
LPF), high-pass filter (HPF) analog filter, or body vibration signal A / D
CPU (Central Processing Unit) based on the data converted into digital signals by a converter and digitized.
It is disclosed that it is composed of either one or both of the digital filters that perform filtering by the arithmetic processing of.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-210367

However, the vibration signal obtained by the non-restraint type vibration sensor is weak, and it is necessary to separate even weaker heart beats, pulmonary respiratory activity, and vibration caused by snoring. In particular, when it is arranged in the upper part or the lower part of the bed pad or the mattress as in Patent Document 1, the strength of the obtained vibration signal can be strengthened by enlarging the vibration sensor, but the size is limited. The vibration signal cannot be strengthened in some applications. In particular, when it is necessary to reduce the size of the vibration sensor due to restrictions such as the size and shape of the mounting part, the sensor itself that generates the vibration signal becomes small, so the signal strength becomes very weak and relative. The noise has become louder. For example, when the vibration sensor is attached to clothes or something to be worn, the size of the vibration sensor is limited depending on the installation situation when the vibration sensor is installed on a chair, desk, toilet, etc. ..

In particular, there are an increasing number of cases of fainting or stroke in toilets and baths.
There is a problem that the discovery is delayed because there are many people in the toilet and bath, and since it is a private space, it cannot be monitored.

In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a means for efficiently acquiring a vibration signal by a vibration sensor. The purpose of this includes making it possible to obtain a vibration signal capable of extracting desired vibration from the viewpoint of the size and application of the vibration sensor even if the strength of the vibration signal is weaker than before as a result. I'm out. The vibration sensor of the present invention can also be used to detect vibrations generated from the human body, but is not limited to such purposes and uses, and can be used to detect various types of vibrations.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the vibration sensor unit of the present invention includes a vibration sensor including a positive electrode layer and a vibration sensor material sandwiched between the negative electrode layers, and a signal amplification means having an uneven surface. However, it is characterized in that the uneven surface of the signal amplification means is arranged so as to face the surface of the vibration sensor material.

Further, in the vibration sensor unit, the signal amplification means may be arranged above and below the vibration sensor, and further, the unevenness of the signal amplification means arranged on the vibration sensor and the unevenness of the vibration sensor and the vibration sensor. The unevenness of the signal amplification means arranged below may be arranged so as to mesh with each other.

Further, in the vibration sensor unit, the vibration sensor may be provided with irregularities on the positive electrode layer or the insulating layer provided in contact with the positive electrode layer to function as the signal amplification means. Further, in the vibration sensor unit, the vibration sensor may have irregularities on the negative electrode layer or the lower shielding layer provided in contact with the negative electrode layer to function as the signal amplification means.

Further, the other vibration sensor unit of the present invention has an auxiliary member projecting or erected on the detection target and a vibration sensor in contact with the detection target, and the vibration sensor is provided on the auxiliary member. It is characterized by that.

Further, in such a vibration sensor unit, at least a part of the auxiliary member may be able to swing. Further, the detection target is hollow, and the auxiliary member may be provided inside the hollow detection target.

Further, the other vibration sensor unit of the present invention has a curved surface provided on the detection target and a vibration sensor in contact with the detection target, and the vibration sensor is formed on the inner surface or the outer surface of the curved surface of the detection target. It is characterized in that at least a part of the above is curved and attached.

In the vibration sensor unit, the vibration sensor preferably has a vibration sensor material and a positive electrode layer and a negative electrode layer provided above and below the vibration sensor material.

Further, the vibration signal extraction device of the present invention includes any of the above vibration sensor units, and extracts a pulsatile vibration signal, a pulmonary respiration vibration signal, or a voice vibration signal from the body vibration signal detected by the vibration sensor. .. Further, an elastic member may be arranged between the member holding the vibration sensor unit and the vibration sensor.

Further, the toilet seat of the toilet of the present invention is provided with any of the above vibration sensor units. Further, the toilet seat may be provided with a plurality of vibration sensor units.

Further, the toilet of the present invention includes the toilet seat, and another vibration sensor unit is provided at a place other than the toilet seat.

Further, the belt of the present invention is provided with any of the above vibration sensor units. Further, in the belt, it is preferable that the vibration sensor unit is provided so as to be movable.
Further, the belt may be provided with a plurality of the vibration sensor units.

According to the present invention, the vibration sensor can efficiently acquire a vibration signal even if the vibration is weak, and can be used for detecting various vibrations. Further, according to the present invention, a vibration sensor can detect a weak body vibration generated by an animal as a body vibration signal, and the presence or absence of an animal (human) can be detected by using the body vibration signal. Further, according to the present invention, since the body vibration signal can be efficiently acquired by the vibration sensor, it is easy to extract the beating vibration, the lung respiration vibration or the voice vibration from the body vibration signal, or from the body vibration signal. The accuracy of the extracted beat vibration, lung respiration vibration or voice vibration can be improved. further,
According to the present invention, since the body vibration signal can be efficiently acquired by the vibration sensor, it is possible to extract the beating vibration, the lung respiration vibration or the voice vibration even with a small vibration sensor, and the vibration sensor can be worn in a wearable manner. It can be used or miniaturized and installed on members close to people such as chairs, desks, and toilets. Other effects will be described in the embodiment for carrying out the invention.

An example of an embodiment of the vibration sensor unit of the present invention An example of signal amplification means Another example of the embodiment of the vibration sensor unit of the present invention Another example of the embodiment of the vibration sensor unit of the present invention An example of a configuration in which a vibration sensor is applied to the toilet seat An example of a configuration in which a vibration sensor is applied to the belt Schematic configuration of the vibration sensor Schematic configuration of the vibration sensor A block diagram showing an outline configuration of a signal processing device according to one of the embodiments. Schematic configuration diagram of the vibration sensor unit in the first embodiment Measured value of Example 1 using signal amplification means Measured value of Example 1 without using signal amplification means Measured value of Example 2 Schematic configuration diagram of the vibration propagation member of Example 3 Measured value of Example 3 An example of a configuration in which a vibration sensor is applied to a toilet bowl Frequency analysis result of Example 4 Pulsating vibration signal waveform of Example 4

[Concave and convex signal amplification means]
One of the vibration sensor units 1 of the present invention is a signal amplification means 11 having an uneven surface with respect to the surface of the vibration sensor material of the vibration sensor 10 in order to facilitate detection of weak vibration by the vibration sensor.
Was placed. An example is shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the structure in which the signal amplification means 11 is arranged outside the vibration sensor 10 has been described, but it is sufficient if a non-uniform pressure due to the uneven surface is applied to the vibration sensor material in the vibration sensor, so that vibration Signal amplification means 11 in the sensor 10
May be provided (see FIG. 8).

The vibration sensor 10 may be arranged on a flat surface, the uneven surface of the signal amplification means 11 may be opposed to the upper surface of the vibration sensor 10, and the signal amplification means 11 may be arranged so that the uneven surface faces downward. (FIG. 1 (A)), the vibration sensor 10 may be arranged on the signal amplification means 11 in which the uneven surface is arranged upward (not shown), or the uneven surface faces the upper and lower sides of the vibration sensor 10. The signal amplification means 11A and 11B may be arranged so as to do so (FIG. 1 (B)). When the signal amplification means 11 are arranged vertically, the unevenness of the upper signal amplification means 11A and the lower signal amplification means 11
The unevenness of B may be the same, but as shown in FIG. 1B, it is preferable to provide the signal amplification means 11A and 11B so that the unevenness is staggered at the top and bottom and the unevenness meshes with each other. Further, the signal amplification means 11 may be arranged so that the uneven surface faces one surface of the vibration sensor 10, and the cushion material may be arranged on the other surface. In this case, since the cushion material is deformed along the unevenness of the signal amplification means 11, it is possible to easily obtain a state in which the uneven surface faces the top and bottom of the vibration sensor 10. Suitable cushioning materials include foamed plastic materials such as urethane foam sheets, aggregates of fibers such as cotton, and sponge materials such as loofah. The vibration sensor unit 1 has a transmission transmission path (wired or wireless) (not shown), and outputs a signal including vibration detected by the vibration sensor to the signal processing device via the transmission transmission path.

It is sufficient that the vibration sensor 10 of the present invention is arranged directly or in the vicinity of various animals, devices or members (hereinafter referred to as "vibration sources") that generate vibrations, and can detect vibrations from the vibration sources and output them as electric signals. .. A piezo element is preferably used as the vibration sensor 10, but other sensors such as a polymer piezoelectric material (polyolefin-based material) may be used. As a material of the piezo element, for example, a porous polypropylene electret film (Elect)
ro Mechanical Film (EMFI), or PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride film), or polyvinylidene fluoride and ethylene trifluoride copolymer (P (VD)
F-TrFE)), or polyvinylidene fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene copolymer (P (VDF))
-TFE)) may be used. The vibration sensor 10 is preferably in the form of a film.

The signal amplification means 11 has at least one convex portion or concave portion, and the surface having the convex portion or concave portion (concave and convex surface) is arranged so as to face the vibration sensor. As the signal amplification means 11, plastic materials, synthetic rubber, paper, metal materials, high-rigidity materials (diamond, beryllium, boron, carbon graphite, etc.) and the like can be used. Further, as the signal amplification means 11, a mixture of these materials may be used, or a plurality of materials may be laminated.

The vibration sensor 10 and the signal amplification means 11 preferably have a state in which pressure is applied to the surface of the vibration sensor material of the vibration sensor 10 due to the unevenness of the signal amplification means 11 at least when the vibration sensor detects vibration. It is more preferable that the vibration sensor 10 is deformed due to unevenness. When the signal amplification means 11 is simply placed on the vibration sensor 10, there is almost no pressure due to the unevenness of the signal amplification means 11, but the vibration source is the signal amplification means 1.
When present on 1, the weight of the vibration source causes the unevenness of the signal amplification means 11 to apply pressure unevenly to the surface of the vibration sensor 10. Since the vibration signal of the vibration source is detected in this state, the vibration signal is detected in a state where pressure due to unevenness is applied. Further, the vibration sensor 10 may be arranged in a deformed state in advance due to the unevenness of the signal amplification means 11. When the pressure due to the unevenness is applied in this way, the vibration propagated from above does not simply deform the vibration sensor in the thickness direction, but increases the deformation in the bending direction (bending), and the generated signal strength. Can be enhanced. This is because, in general, in a film-shaped piezo element, deformation in the bending direction is more sensitive than deformation due to compression in the thickness direction.
This is because the generated signal strength can be increased by causing displacement in the bending direction even with weak vibration. Further, when the vibration sensor 10 is deformed along the unevenness, the contact area can be widened, and in this respect as well, the generated signal strength can be increased.

The signal amplification means 11 may have one convex portion or a plurality of convex portions or concave portions. The height of the convex portion or the depth of the concave portion is preferably equal to or larger than the thickness of the vibration sensor material in the vibration sensor 10. The cross-sectional shape of the convex portion may be a triangle, a quadrangle, another polygon, a convex curve, a semicircle, a semi-ellipse, or a combination thereof. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the recess may be a triangle, a quadrangle, another polygon, a concave curve, a semicircle, a semi-ellipse, or a combination thereof. The protrusions or recesses may be provided in a part of the region, or a plurality of protrusions or recesses may be provided as a whole. When a plurality of convex portions or concave portions are provided, a plurality of types of convex portions or concave portions having different heights of the convex portions or depths of the concave portions may be provided. In addition, the convex or concave portion
It may be circular, polygonal, linear, or grid-like in a plan view. 2 (A) to (D) are shown in FIGS.
This is an example of the signal amplification means 11. In FIG. 2A, six truncated cone-shaped convex portions are arranged, and in FIG. 2B, a linear convex portion having a convex cross section is provided in the center. FIG. 2C is provided with a recess having a trapezoidal inclined surface in the center, and FIG. 2D is provided with two recesses having a square view in a plan view.

The vibration sensor unit 1 including the vibration sensor 10 and the signal amplification means 11 may be in direct contact with a vibration source (including an animal or a human body), or a member (floor, bed, etc.) through which vibration propagates from the vibration source.
It may be brought into contact with a chair, desk, clothes, shoes, rug, sheets, cover, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "vibration propagation member"). The vibration propagation member on which the vibration sensor unit 1 is installed may have a plurality of members interposed from the vibration source. For example, the vibration sensor unit 1 may be installed or embedded on the floor, on or under the bed mat, on the front or back surface of the seat plate or backrest of the chair, on the front surface or back surface of the top plate of the desk, or as a vibration source. Alternatively, when the vibration propagation member (hereinafter referred to as “detection target”) is hollow, the vibration sensor unit 1 may be installed on the inner surface thereof. Further, the vibration sensor unit 1 can be provided as long as the vibration of the person in contact with the detection target is transmitted even at a position away from the contact portion of the detection target with the vibration source. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C, the vibration sensor unit 1 may be provided on one of the protective members 21 provided at the portion of the leg of the bed 20 that comes into contact with the floor. FIG. 1D is an enlarged view of the vibration sensor unit 1 in FIG. 1C, in which the vibration sensor 10 sandwiched between the signal amplification means 11A and 11B is installed inside the protective member 21, and the vibration sensor 10 is installed. Reference numeral 10 is deformed along the unevenness of the signal amplification means 11A and 11B. Then, the vibration of the animal on the bed 20 is transmitted to the vibration sensor 10 via the legs of the bed 20, and the vibration sensor 10 generates a signal including the vibration generated by the animal (hereinafter referred to as "body vibration signal"). .. The arrangement of the vibration sensor unit 1 in FIG. 1C is merely an example, and is not limited to this. For example, the vibration sensor unit 1 may be provided on a pillar connected to the floor, on a bed frame, headboard, side rail, or the like, or on a chair leg, armrest, frame, or the like. However, it may be provided on a desk leg, a pier, a curtain plate, or the like. Further, the vibration sensor may be provided on the toilet seat or the toilet bowl, and the vibration sensor may be arranged on the surface, the back side or the inside of the toilet seat or the toilet bowl. For example, the vibration sensor unit may be arranged at a cushioning portion provided at a contact portion with the toilet bowl on the back surface of the toilet seat or at a contact portion with the toilet seat on the surface of the toilet bowl. Further, the vibration sensor 10 may be brought into direct contact with the body of a person or an animal to detect the body vibration signal. Further, the vibration sensor unit 1 may be arranged in a device (engine, motor, HDD, etc.) having a sliding portion that is a vibration source to detect vibration, or a member (water supply, gas) that generates vibration as a vibration source. The vibration sensor unit 1 may be arranged in the piping, windmill, etc.) to detect the amount of water, the amount of gas, the water leak, or the gas leak.

[Auxiliary member]
The other one of the vibration sensor unit 1 of the present invention is provided with an auxiliary member 31 projecting or erected on the detection target 30 as shown in FIG. 3 in order to facilitate detection of weak vibration by the vibration sensor. The vibration sensor 10 is attached to the auxiliary member 31. A signal amplification means may be provided between the auxiliary member 31 and the vibration sensor 10 so that the uneven surface faces the vibration sensor 10.

For example, the auxiliary member 31 may be projected or erected on the surface of the detection target 30 (FIG. 3 (A).
)-(D)), the detection target 30 may be hollow, and the auxiliary member 31 may be projected or erected inside the detection target 30 (FIGS. 3 (E) and 3 (F)). The auxiliary member 30 may be a flat plate-shaped member or may be curved. The auxiliary member 31 may be integrally molded with the detection target 30, or may be fixed to the detection target separately from the detection target. It is preferable that at least a part of the auxiliary member 31 is provided so as to be swingable, and the auxiliary member 31 may be in the form of a thin plate or a film. Further, as the auxiliary member 31, it is also possible to use the configuration originally provided in the detection target 30. Further, a part of the constituent members of the vibration sensor (for example, electrodes, substrates, etc.) can be used as the auxiliary member 31.

When the auxiliary member 31 is projected onto the detection target 30, one end of the auxiliary member 31 is the detection target 3.
Although it is fixed to 0, the other end is swingable, and when vibration propagates from the detection target 30, the amplitude of vibration can be increased in the auxiliary member 31, and the vibration sensor 1
Since the bending deformation of 0 is also large, the generated signal strength can be increased. In this case, the vibration sensor is preferably arranged from the center or the other end of the auxiliary member 31. When the auxiliary member 31 is erected on the detection target 30, both ends of the auxiliary member 31 are fixed to the detection target 30, but by arranging the vibration sensor 10 near the center of the auxiliary member 31, the detection target 30
It is possible to increase the vibration intensity generated from the vibration propagated from.

As the auxiliary member 31, a plastic material, synthetic rubber, paper, a metal material, a high-rigidity material (diamond, beryllium, boron, carbon graphite, etc.) and the like can be used.
Further, as the signal amplification means 11, a mixture of these materials may be used, or a plurality of materials may be laminated.

FIG. 3A shows a structure in which an auxiliary member 31A projecting outward is provided on a leg of a detection target 30, for example, a chaise longue (bench), and a vibration sensor 10A is arranged therein.
Auxiliary member 31B is projected inward on the leg of the bench), and the vibration sensor 10B is arranged there. Auxiliary member 31C is projected downward on the back side of the seat surface of the chaise longue (bench). The structure in which the vibration sensor 10C is arranged is illustrated. FIG. 3B shows a flat plate-shaped auxiliary member 31 between the inner surface of the leg of the chaise longue (bench), which is the detection target 30, and the back surface of the seat surface.
D is cross-linked diagonally, and a structure in which the vibration sensor 10D is arranged and a curved auxiliary member 31E are cross-linked between the inner surface of the legs of the chaise longue (bench) and the back surface of the seat surface.
An example is a structure in which the vibration sensor 10 is curved and arranged along the curved surface. FIG. 3 (C
) Is a structure in which a curved auxiliary member 31 is bridged on the back surface of the seat surface of the chaise longue (bench) which is the detection target 30, and the vibration sensor 10 is curved and arranged along the curved surface near the apex of the curvature. Is illustrated. FIG. 3D illustrates a structure in which a flat plate-shaped auxiliary member 31G is erected laterally on the inner surface of the curved detection target 30, and the vibration sensor 10G is arranged in the center thereof. FIG. 3 (E) shows a flat plate-shaped auxiliary member 3 inside a hollow detection target 30 having a rectangular cross section.
1H is erected in the vertical direction, and a structure in which the vibration sensor 10H is arranged and an auxiliary member 31I curved inside the hollow detection target 30 are erected diagonally, and the vibration sensor 10I is erected along the curved surface thereof. Illustrates the structure in which the is curved and arranged. FIG. 3F shows a structure in which a flat plate-shaped auxiliary member 31J is erected in the lateral direction inside a hollow detection target 30 having an elliptical cross section, and a vibration sensor 10J is arranged therein. For example, as the hollow detection target 30, the toilet seat having a heating function is hollow, and an auxiliary member may be projected or erected inside the toilet seat to provide a vibration sensor.

[Curved installation]
The other one of the vibration sensor unit 1 of the present invention detects weak vibrations as shown in FIGS. 3 (B), (D), (E) and 4 in order to make it easier to detect the weak vibration with the vibration sensor. A curved surface is provided on the object 30, and at least a part of the film-shaped vibration sensor is curved and attached to the inner surface or the outer surface of the curved surface to be detected. In addition, a signal amplification means (a part of the signal amplification means may be curved) may be provided between the detection target 30 and the vibration sensor 10 so that the uneven surface faces the vibration sensor 10, or the detection target is hit. A curved surface may be provided on the auxiliary member provided or erected, and a vibration sensor may be provided on the curved surface.

For example, FIG. 4A shows a structure in which the vibration sensor 10 is curved and arranged along a curved surface at the center of the inner surface of the curved detection target 30. In FIG. 4B, the corners of the detection target 30 are rounded.
A structure in which the vibration sensor 10A is arranged on the back surface of the seat surface so as to include a curved surface with rounded corners and a structure in which the vibration sensor 10B is arranged on the inner surface of the leg so as to include a curved surface with rounded corners are shown. FIG. 4 (C)
Is a vibration sensor 1 on the outer surface of the leg so that the corners of the detection target 30 are rounded and the curved surface of the rounded corners is included.
It is a structure in which 0B is arranged. FIG. 4D shows a structure in which the corners of the hollow detection target 30 having a rectangular cross section are rounded, and the vibration sensor 10 is curved and arranged along the curved surface of the rounded corners.

By bending the vibration sensor, when vibration propagates from the detection target 30, the curved vibration sensor is deformed in the bending direction (bending), so that the generated signal strength can be increased.

[Toilet seat, toilet bowl]
As shown in FIG. 5, the vibration sensor unit 1 of the present invention may be applied to the toilet seat 40 of the toilet.
FIG. 5A is a schematic configuration diagram of the back surface of the toilet seat 40, and four cushioning portions 41 for alleviating the impact due to the collision with the toilet bowl are arranged on the back surface of the toilet seat. 5 (B) and (C) show B in (A).
-B is a cross-sectional view of the alternate long and short dash line, and is a cross-sectional view of the toilet seat 40 including the buffer portion 41. In the embodiment of FIG. 5B, the contact member 42 of the cushioning portion 41 of the toilet seat 40 is removed, a recess is formed inside the cushioning portion 41, the vibration sensor unit 1 is arranged in the recess, and the vibration sensor unit 1 is arranged. Covering the contact member 4
It is a structure in which 2 is bonded. Similar to the structure shown in FIG. 1D, the vibration sensor unit 1 has a structure in which the vibration sensor 10 is sandwiched between the signal amplification means 11A and 11B, and the vibration sensor 10 is formed along the unevenness of the signal amplification means 11A and 11B. It is deformed. Further, FIG. 5C is another embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 5C, an auxiliary member 43 is erected inside the hollow toilet seat 40, and the vibration sensor unit 1 is attached to the auxiliary member 43. It is provided. In the vibration sensor unit 1 of FIG. 5C, the vibration sensor 10 is the signal amplification means 11 as in the structure shown in FIG. 1D.
It is a structure sandwiched between A and 11B. A vibration sensor may be provided on the curved inner surface of the toilet seat.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the vibration sensor unit 1 of the present invention may be applied to the toilet bowl 50. 16 (A) is a schematic configuration diagram of the toilet bowl 50, and FIGS. 16 (B) to 16 (E) are sectional views. As shown in FIG. 16A, the vibration sensor unit 1 is the surface of the toilet bowl 50 and is the toilet seat 40.
It is placed in the part that comes into contact with. As shown in FIG. 16B, the vibration sensor unit 1 having a structure in which the vibration sensor 10 is sandwiched between the signal amplification means 11A and 11B is directly provided on the surface of the toilet bowl 50, and the toilet seat 40 (from above the vibration sensor unit 1). The structure may be in contact with (indicated by a dotted line). But,
If the vibration sensor 1 is brought into direct contact with the pottery bowl 50, noise may be generated in the vibration signal. In this respect, it is preferable to arrange an elastic member at least between the vibration sensor 10 and the toilet bowl 50. As shown in FIGS. 16C to 16E, elastic members 51, 52, and 53 may be arranged between the signal amplification means 11B on the lower side of the vibration sensor unit 1 and the toilet bowl 50, and are shown in the figure. Although not, the signal amplification means 11B between the vibration sensor 10 and the toilet bowl 50 may be composed of an elastic member. As the elastic member, rubber, leaf spring, polymer material (for example, polyurethane, polyester), cushion material, sponge material, cloth and the like can be used. FIG. 16
In FIG. 16C, a flat plate-shaped elastic member 51 is interposed, in FIG. 16D, an elastic member 52 having a structure facing the surface of the toilet bowl 50 and having a convex portion is interposed, and in FIG. 16E, FIG. An elastic member 53 having a structure having a recess facing the surface of the toilet bowl 50 was interposed. In FIGS. 16D and 16E, a structure having only one convex portion or concave portion is illustrated, but a plurality of convex portions or concave portions may be provided.

Further, a plurality of vibration sensor units may be provided in the toilet. In this case, it is preferable to reduce the noise by taking the difference between the body vibration signals detected by the plurality of vibration sensor units. In particular, one or more vibration sensor units placed on the toilet seat can easily transmit vibrations generated by the body, such as heartbeat and lung breathing vibrations, but other places (for example, toilet bowl, toilet floor, toilet lid, etc.). In the vibration sensor unit arranged in, the body vibration is hard to be transmitted, and the noise component other than the vibration from the body is relatively emphasized. Therefore, by taking these differences, it is possible to strongly detect vibrations generated by the body such as heartbeat and lung respiration.

[belt]
As shown in FIG. 6, the vibration sensor unit 1 of the present invention may be provided on the belt 61 wrapped around the waist.
The vibration sensor unit 1 may be attached to the inner surface of the belt 61, or may be attached to the outer surface.
It may be embedded inside the belt 61. In particular, the vibration sensor unit 1 is arranged on the back surface of the human body (more preferably adjacent to the spine) when worn. Since the belt itself is bendable, it is partially curved when worn, making it possible to detect body vibration signals. FIG. 6 (A
), The vibration sensor unit 1 was attached to the inside of the intermediate position of the belt 61. Since the belt is used to keep the vibration sensor in close contact with the body and to restrain the body in daily life for a purpose other than vibration detection, the vibration sensor can be attached to the body without giving excessive stress. Therefore, it is preferable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the moving member 62 has a moving member 62 fitted in the belt, and the moving member 6
The vibration sensor unit 1 may be provided inside the 2. The moving member 62 may be movable within at least a part of the length direction of the belt, and as shown in FIG. 6B, has a hole larger than that of the belt and is fitted into the hole. It may be a structure having an engaging structure in which the edge of the belt is a rail. Since the inside of the belt is in contact with the body, the presence of the moving member may cause a sense of discomfort. Therefore, the moving member may be provided on the outer surface side of the belt. In this case, it is preferable to provide the vibration sensor unit 1 on the contact surface side of the moving member arranged on the outer surface of the belt with the belt. Further, it is preferable that the moving member 62 can be fixed at an arbitrary position by a fixing means (for example, a pin or the like) (not shown).

Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, a plurality of vibration sensor units 1a and 1 are attached to one belt 61.
b may be provided. In this case, it is preferable to reduce the noise by taking the difference between the body vibration signals detected by the plurality of vibration sensor units 1a and 1b. In particular, the vibration sensor unit 1a arranged on the back side of the human body is likely to transmit vibrations generated by the body, for example, vibrations of heartbeat and pulmonary respiration, but the vibration sensor unit 1a arranged in other parts (for example, abdomen and flanks) has a vibration sensor unit 1a. Body vibration is hard to be transmitted, and noise components other than vibration from the body are relatively emphasized. Therefore, by taking these differences, it is possible to strongly detect vibrations generated by the body such as heartbeat and lung respiration. The belt 61 in FIG. 6 is an example, and can be applied to belts made of various materials such as leather, cloth, and rubber, and the method of fixing the belt is not limited to the one shown in the figure.

[Sensor installation by adhesion]
In the present embodiment, the vibration sensor portion is provided with an adhesive layer, or the vibration sensor portion is directly adhered to the vibration source or the vibration propagation member by an adhesive tape provided separately. The adhesive layer is the outer surface of the vibration sensor described later (upper surface of the upper shielding layer, lower surface of the lower shielding layer, lower surface of the substrate, etc.).
An adhesive layer is provided on the surface. Further, at least a part of the vibration sensor portion may be covered, and an adhesive tape adhered to the vibration sensor portion may be provided in the covered portion. In particular, when the vibration sensor unit is directly attached to the human body (skin), the adhesive layer or adhesive tape is an adhesive containing a polymer obtained by mixing dimethylvinyl-terminated dimethylsiloxane and tetramethyltetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane. Is preferably used.

[Noise measures]
In the present invention, a coaxial cable is used in at least a part of the transmission line between the vibration sensor and the signal processing device in order to suppress the generation of noise. Conventionally, a shielded wire has been used as a transmission line for transmitting a signal of a vibration sensor to a signal processing device. The shielded wire was able to prevent noise from the outside, and prevented noise from being generated in the vibration signal due to the influence from the outside. However, in the present invention, when the output impedance of the sensor is high, the shielded wire sways or moves, so that the impedance inside the shielded wire changes and noise is generated in the vibration signal transmitted from the vibration sensor. That is, I discovered that the shielded wire itself was the cause of noise generation. In particular, when the distance between the vibration sensor and the signal processing device increases, the shielded wire becomes longer, and the shielded wire moves due to wind and ambient vibration, and noise increases. For example, even if a person walks near the sensor or a car runs outside, the shielded wire may vibrate and noise may be generated in the signal. Coaxial cable, even if it shakes
The impedance change was small and the noise generated in the signal could be reduced.

Further, in the present invention, as another solution for suppressing the generation of noise, an operational amplifier or FET is provided on the vibration sensor side of the half of the transmission line between the vibration sensor and the signal processing device. By providing the operational amplifier or FET, the output impedance of the sensor can be reduced, and the noise due to the impedance change in the transmission line can be reduced as compared with the conventional device not provided with the operational amplifier or FET.

Further, in the present invention, as another solution for suppressing the generation of noise, the generation of noise is suppressed by covering the vibration sensor with a conductor and further grounding the conductor to keep the potential constant. ..

When a member holding the vibration sensor (for example, detection target 20, auxiliary member 31, etc.) vibrates, the vibration sensor detects the vibration and becomes noise with respect to the vibration generated from the animal. For this reason,
It is preferable that the combined natural frequency of the holding member and the vibration sensor is equal to or higher than the required vibration frequency. For example, if pulsatile vibration and pulmonary respiration vibration are required, 10 Hz or higher,
It is possible to increase the rigidity of the holding member (material hardness, length, thickness, shape, etc.) and adjust the arrangement and shape of the vibration sensor so that it becomes 8 Hz or higher, 6 Hz or higher, 5 Hz or higher, or 3 Hz or higher. is important. If the combined natural frequency is above the required vibration frequency, noise could be reduced by processing with an LPF (for example, a low-pass filter having a passband in the frequency range of 10 Hz or less) in signal processing. .. In particular, the combined natural frequency is 50H.
If it can be set to z or more, it can be performed at the same time as reducing external electromagnetic noise, so that noise can be reduced by cheaper processing. Generally, the frequency of power lines in Japan is 50Hz or 60Hz, so
The vibration of 50 Hz or 60 Hz fills the space and becomes external electromagnetic noise. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the region including at least 50 Hz or 60 Hz, and if the natural frequency is set to this removed range, it can be removed at once together with the external electromagnetic noise. Also,
When voice vibration is also detected, the combined natural frequency is preferably set to the required frequency of voice vibration or higher, for example, 400 Hz or higher, 800 Hz or higher, 1 kHz or higher, or 1.5 kHz or higher. Alternatively, the combined natural frequency may be equal to or lower than the required frequency of voice vibration (for example, 100 Hz) and higher than or equal to the frequency of the pulsating signal (for example, 10 Hz). In fact, a signal including pulsatile vibration and pulmonary respiration vibration was extracted by a 25 Hz LPF, and 1
The voice vibration could be extracted by the 00Hz HPF.

Further, in order to reduce noise, a member holding the vibration sensor (for example, detection target 20,
It is also preferable to provide an elastic member between the auxiliary member 31 and the like) and the vibration sensor. As the elastic member, rubber, leaf spring, polymer material (for example, polyurethane, polyester), cushion material, sponge material, cloth and the like can be used. The elastic member may be flat or flat.
The surface facing the member holding the vibration sensor may have a structure having a convex portion or a structure having a concave portion. Further, a convex portion or a concave portion may be provided on the surface facing the vibration sensor to also serve as a signal amplification means.

[Vibration sensor]
Next, an example of the configuration of the vibration sensor 10 used in the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the vibration signal sensor of the present invention. The vibration sensor 10 has at least a vibration sensor material (PVDF, polyolefin-based material, etc.) 51, and a positive electrode layer 52 and a negative electrode layer 53 provided above and below the vibration sensor material 51. The negative electrode layer 52 can be configured to have a constant potential so that the signal generated by the displacement of the vibration sensor material 51 is taken out from the positive electrode layer 52. Further, the vibration sensor 10 has an upper shielding layer (electromagnetic shielding film) 54 held at a constant potential in order to eliminate various external noises, particularly electromagnetic noise.
It is preferable to cover the whole with the lower shielding layer (electromagnetic shielding film) 55. here,
The upper shielding layer 54 and the lower shielding layer 55 may have the same potential as the negative electrode layer 53, and in this case, one of the upper shielding layer 54 and the lower shielding layer 55 may be composed of the negative electrode layer 53. it can. Further, an insulating layer (insulating sheet) 56 is arranged between the upper shielding layer 54 or the lower shielding layer 55 and the positive electrode layer 52 to insulate them. Further, a plate-shaped or film-shaped substrate 57 for holding all of them is provided as needed. The substrate 57 itself may be used as a holding member (detection target or auxiliary member), or the substrate 57 of the vibration sensor may be adhered to the holding member. A take-out terminal (not shown) is connected to the positive electrode layer 52 and the negative electrode layer 53, and a voltage can be applied to the electrodes or a signal can be output from the electrodes, respectively.

The vibration sensor material 51, the positive electrode layer 52, and the negative electrode layer 53 may be in the form of a thin film.
The thin film may have a laminated structure. For example, a metal thin film to be a negative electrode layer 53 that also functions as a lower shielding layer is formed on the substrate 57, and a thin film of the vibration sensor material 51 is laminated on the metal thin film.
Further, a metal thin film to be the positive electrode layer 52 may be formed on the vibration sensor material 51, a thin film to be the insulating layer 56 may be formed to cover the whole, and finally a metal thin film to be the upper shielding layer 54 may be formed. .. If necessary, each film is appropriately molded by patterning or the like.

Further, the signal amplification means 11 shown in FIG. 1 is provided separately from the vibration sensor in FIG. 7.
For example, it is arranged above the vibration sensor with the uneven surface facing down. However, the signal amplification means 11 can also be provided in the vibration sensor. 8 (A) and 8 (B) are examples of vibration sensors having a built-in signal amplification means.

In FIG. 8A, the insulating layer 58 having an uneven surface also functions as a signal amplification means. FIG. 8 (A
), The uneven surface of the insulating layer 58 is arranged downward, and a non-uniform pressure can be applied to the vibration sensor material 51 via the positive electrode layer 52. FIG. 8B has a structure in which an insulating layer 58 having an uneven surface is provided on the vibration sensor material, and a lower shielding layer 59 having an uneven surface is provided under the vibration sensor material. The lower shielding layer 59 has an uneven surface facing upward, and a non-uniform pressure can be applied to the vibration sensor material 51 via the negative electrode layer 53. In particular, in FIG. 8B, since the unevenness of the insulating layer 58 and the unevenness of the lower shielding layer 59 are arranged so as to be staggered, a larger displacement can be given to the vibration sensor material 51. The positive electrode layer, the negative electrode layer, the upper shielding layer, and the substrate may be provided with an uneven surface to function as a signal amplification means, or a signal amplification layer having a separate uneven surface may be added.

When arranging the vibration sensor on the detection target, it is preferable that the upper shielding layer 54 or the lower shielding layer 55 is arranged so as to be in contact with the auxiliary member and the detection target.

The insulating layer 56 secures the insulation between the positive electrode layer 52 and the upper shielding layer 54, and when reading vibrations of 1 Hz or less such as cardiopulmonary vibration, a sufficient output value is obtained regardless of the thickness of the insulating layer. It can be obtained, but the output value becomes smaller as the frequency increases, and 10 such as snoring and somniloquy signals.
In the case of vibration with a frequency around 0 to 500 Hz, no output was obtained. This is the insulating layer 56
This protects the positive electrode layer 52 from external noise, and signals with frequencies around 100 to 500 Hz, such as snoring and somniloquy signals, leak to the upper shielding layer 54 via capacitance. It was presumed to be. In order to prevent this, the thickness of the insulating layer 56 is set to 1.
When it was set to 0 to 100 μm, it was possible to receive a vibration signal caused by voice such as snoring and somniloquy. That is, it was found that the capacitance formed by the upper shielding layer 54, the insulating layer 56, and the positive electrode layer 52 needs to be 1/10 or less of the capacitance of the vibration sensor 30. Further, the total resistance value R such as the resistance of the vibration sensor material (PVDF) 51 and the resistance between the positive electrode layer 52 and the vibration sensor material 51, the upper shielding layer 54, the insulating layer 56, and the positive electrode layer 52 When the time constant (1 / (C × R)) determined by the product C × R of the capacitor with the capacitance C formed between and the capacitor becomes low, the sound components such as the groin and sleeping words, which are vibrations around 100 Hz to 500 Hz, are transmitted. It becomes impossible to output.

Therefore, in order to output this audio signal, the thickness of the insulating layer is the area of the sensor body.
Even if the relative permittivity of the insulating layer is converted, it must be at least 1 μm, but 10 μm to 100 μm.
The above is preferable. Further, the capacitance of the capacitor composed of the upper shielding layer 54, the insulating layer 56 and the positive electrode layer 52 needs to be at least 1 μF or less, and is 0.1 μF.
It was found that it is preferable to set it to F or less.

[Signal processing]
The body vibration signal detected by the vibration sensor is output to the signal processing circuit, and from the body vibration signal detected in the signal processing circuit, vibration caused by the beating of the heart (hereinafter referred to as "beating vibration").
Signals related to (hereinafter referred to as "beating vibration signals"), vibrations caused by pulmonary respiration (hereinafter referred to as "pulmonary respiration vibrations") or vibrations caused by voice (hereinafter referred to as "pulmonary respiration vibration signals") A signal relating to (hereinafter referred to as "voice vibration") (hereinafter referred to as "voice vibration signal") can be extracted. Such body vibration signal, beating vibration signal, pulmonary respiration vibration signal or voice vibration signal is used to detect human biological information (absence, life or death, health state, psychological state, emotion, intention, etc.). May be done. That is, the vibration sensor of the present invention can be used as a vibration signal extraction method and a device, and further can be used as a biological information detection method and a biological information detection device for animals (including humans), and for each biological information. It can also be used as a specialized method and device. For example, it may be used for a person presence / absence detection method / device, a life / death determination method / device, a health state determination method / device, a psychological state determination method / device, an emotion determination method / device, an intention detection method / device, and the like.

The body vibration signal of the present invention includes a signal detected by a vibration sensor or a preprocessed signal before supplying such a signal to a beat filter means, a pulmonary respiration filter means or a voice filter means. The body vibration signal is a signal including at least two of a pulsatile vibration signal, a pulmonary respiration vibration signal, and a voice vibration signal. The pre-processing includes amplification processing by an amplification amplifier, separation processing of body motion signals, and the like. Further, the body vibration signal input to the pulsation filter means and the pulmonary respiration filter means includes a pulsation vibration signal and a pulmonary respiration vibration signal, for example.
The body vibration signal is a signal including the beat vibration signal and the lung breath vibration signal after separating the voice vibration signal from the signal including the beat vibration signal, the lung breathing vibration signal and the voice vibration signal. You may.

The pulsatile vibration signal of the present invention is a signal including pulsation vibration caused by the pulsation of the human heart separated from the body vibration signal by the pulsation filter means.
The signal may be a signal that has passed through a bandpass filter (BPF) having a pass band in the frequency range of Hz to 4 Hz. Further, the lower limit frequency of the passing region of the pulsation filter means is 0.5 Hz or more, 0.6.
It may be Hz or more, 0.7 Hz or more, 0.8 Hz or more or 0.9 Hz or more, and the upper limit frequency may be 10 Hz or less, 8 Hz or less, 6 Hz or less, 5 Hz or less, or 3 Hz or less. The lower limit frequency of the pulsation filter means may be the same as the upper limit frequency of the pulmonary respiration filter means, or lower than the upper limit frequency of the pulmonary respiration filter means, and a part of the range overlaps with the passing region of the pulmonary respiration filter means. You may be.

The pulmonary respiration vibrating signal of the present invention is a signal including pulsating vibration caused by pulmonary respiration separated from the body vibration signal by the pulmonary respiration filter means.
A signal that has passed through a low-pass filter (LPF) having a pass band in the frequency range of z or less may be used. The cutoff frequencies of the pulmonary respiration filter means are 0.7 Hz, 0.8 Hz, 0.9 Hz,
It may be 1.1 Hz or 1.2 Hz. Further, the lower limit frequency of the pulsation filter means may be the same as the upper limit frequency of the pulmonary respiration filter means, or the lower limit frequency may be lower and the ranges may be superimposed.

The voice vibrating signal of the present invention is a signal including voice vibration caused by a human voice separated from a body vibration signal by a voice filter means, including at least vocal cord vibration, and other voice organs (lungs, trachea, It may include vibrations in the larynx, pharynx, nasal cavity, oral cavity, tongue, teeth, lips, etc.). The voice oscillating signal may be, for example, a signal that has passed through a bandpass filter (BPF) having a pass band in the frequency range of 50 Hz to 2 kHz as a voice filter means. The lower limit frequency of the pass band of the audio filter means may be 4 Hz or higher, 10 Hz or higher, 30 Hz or higher, 70 Hz or higher, or 100 Hz or higher, and the upper limit frequency is 400 Hz or lower, 80.
It may be 0 Hz or less, 1 kHz or less, and 1.5 kHz or less.

The signal processing circuit of the present invention includes at least a part or all of each filter means and determination means. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the signal processing device 16 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 9, one vibration sensor 10 is connected to the signal processing device 16, but a plurality of vibration sensors may be connected. The signal processing device 16 includes an amplification amplifier 110,
It includes a pulsation filter means 120, a pulmonary respiration filter means 121, a voice filter means 122, a determination means 140, and a storage device 261.

The vibration sensor 10 is arranged at least in the vicinity of a person and detects a body vibration signal 102 from the person. As described above, in the vibration sensor 10, the signal amplification means having the uneven shape is arranged so that the uneven surfaces face each other, is arranged on the auxiliary member, is arranged in a curved shape, or these means are used. Multiple combinations are used to increase the generated signal strength. The vibration sensor 10 is connected to the amplification amplifier 110 of the signal processing device 16, and the vibration sensor 10
The body vibration signal 102 detected in 1 is amplified by the amplification amplifier 110. Amplification amplifier 1
The output of 10 is connected to the pulsation filter means 120, the pulmonary respiration filter means 121 and / or the voice filter means 122, and the amplified body vibration signal 104 is sent to each filter means 1
It is input to 20, 121, 122. Although not shown, the amplified body vibration signal 104 may be directly input to the determination means. The pulsation filter means 120 extracts the pulsatile vibration signal 123 caused by the pulsation of the human heart based on the amplified body vibration signal 104. The pulmonary respiration filter means 121 extracts the pulmonary respiration vibration signal 124 caused by human pulmonary respiration based on the amplified body vibration signal 104. The voice filter means 122 extracts the voice vibration signal 126 caused by voice based on the amplified body vibration signal 104. These amplified body vibration signals 104, pulsatile vibration signals 123, and lung respiration vibration signals 124.
And the voice vibration signal 126 is input to the determination means 140, and is due to the body vibration signal, the pulsating vibration, the pulmonary respiration vibration, or the pulsating vibration and other vibrations, and the human biological information (absence, absence,). It is used to detect life and death, health condition, psychological condition, emotion, intention, etc.).

In the present embodiment, the amplification amplifier 110 is provided between the vibration sensor and the beat filter means, the lung breathing filter means or the voice filter means 122, and the body vibration signal after amplification (beat vibration, lung breath vibration and The maximum amplitude (including at least two of the voice vibrations) is set to be within the voltage range of the input signal of the signal processing circuit. For example, the maximum value (several tens of mV) of a beating vibration signal, a pulmonary respiration vibration signal, or a voice vibration signal is 50% (for example, 5V: ± 2.5V) of the voltage range of the input signal of the signal processing circuit. It is designed to be 1.25V) to 10% (250mV). For the maximum value (several tens of mV) of the beating vibration signal, pulmonary respiration vibration signal or voice vibration signal, the sensitivity of the vibration sensor used, the environment of use (material of shield between people, distance, etc.) Since it fluctuates with, it can be confirmed by experimenting in advance under a predetermined environment.

In the present embodiment, the maximum value of the pulsating vibration signal, the pulmonary respiratory vibration signal or the voice vibration signal extracted from the amplified body vibration signal 104 is half the voltage range of the input signal of the signal processing circuit. Since there are only the following, each filter means 120, 121, 122 and the determination means 140
It is preferable to provide a second amplification amplifier between the two, amplify the signal 2 to 10 times, effectively use the voltage range of the input signal of the signal processing circuit, and increase the SN ratio.

The pulsatile filter means 120 extracts the pulsatile vibration signal 123 caused by the pulsation of the human heart, at least based on the body vibration signal 102. Extraction based on the body vibration signal 102 includes pre-processing (drift component removal, amplification or body vibration signal removal) on the body vibration signal 102 and then extracting by the pulsation filter means 120. The pulsation filter means 120 is a low-pass filter (LPF) composed of a capacitor, a resistor, an operational amplifier, and the like.
), An analog filter of a high-pass filter (HPF), or an analog signal which is a body vibration signal 102 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter and CP is converted based on the quantified data.
It can be configured by either one or both of digital filters that perform filtering by arithmetic processing of U (central processing unit). The digital filter can be configured by an A / D converter and a CPU dedicated to the filter processing unit, but can also be processed by the A / D converter and the CPU of the determination means 140.

As a specific pulsation filter means 120, for example, a bandpass filter (BPF) having a pass band in the frequency range of 1 Hz to 4 Hz can be used. Further, the lower limit frequency of the passing region of the pulsation filter means is 0.5 Hz or more, 0.6 Hz or more, 0.7 Hz or more, 0.
It may be 8 Hz or more or 0.9 Hz or more, and the upper limit frequency may be 10 Hz or less, 8 Hz or less, 6 Hz or less, 5 Hz or less, and 3 Hz or less. Also, the pulsation filter means 120
As a result, the filtering processing method of the present invention described later may be implemented.

The pulmonary respiration filter means 121 extracts the pulmonary respiration vibration signal 124 caused by human lung respiration based on the body vibration signal 102. Extraction based on the body vibration signal 102 includes pretreatment (removal of drift component, amplification or removal of body vibration signal) on the body vibration signal 102, and then extraction by the lung respiration filter means 121. Lung breathing filter means 12
Reference numeral 1 denotes a low-pass filter (LPF) analog filter composed of a capacitor, a resistor, an operational amplifier, or the like, or an analog signal which is a body vibration signal 102 converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter and digitized. It can be configured by either one or both of digital filters that perform filtering by arithmetic processing of a CPU (central processing device).
For digital filters, the A / D converter and CPU dedicated to the filter processing unit
Although it can be configured by, it can also be processed by the A / D converter and the CPU of the determination means 140.

As a specific lung respiration filter means 121, for example, a low-pass filter (LPF) having a pass band (cutoff frequency of 1 Hz) in a frequency range of 1 Hz or less can be used. The cutoff frequencies of the pulmonary respiratory filter means (LPF) are 0.7 Hz, 0.8 Hz, and 0.9.
It may be Hz, 1.1 Hz, 1.2 Hz.

The voice filter means 122 extracts the voice vibration signal 126 caused by the voice based on the body vibration signal 102. Extracting based on the body vibration signal 102 means that the body vibration signal 1
02 includes pre-processing (drift component removal, amplification or body vibration signal removal) and then extraction by the voice filter means 122. The audio filter means 122 converts an analog filter of a low-pass filter (LPF) or a high-pass filter (HPF) composed of a capacitor, a resistor, an operational amplifier, or the like, or an analog signal which is a body vibration signal 102 into a digital signal by an A / D converter. It can be configured by either one or both of digital filters that perform filtering by arithmetic processing of a CPU (central processing device) based on the digitized data. The digital filter can be configured by an A / D converter and a CPU dedicated to the filter processing unit, but can also be processed by the A / D converter and the CPU of the determination means 140.

As a specific audio filter means 122, for example, a BPF having a pass band between 50 Hz and 2 kHz can be used. The lower limit frequency of the pass band of the audio filter means is 4 Hz.
It may be 10 Hz or more, 30 Hz or more, 70 Hz or more, or 100 Hz or more.
The upper limit frequency may be 400 Hz or less, 800 Hz or less, 1 kHz or less, and 1.5 kHz or less.

The determination means 140 detects and determines a person's biological information (life or death, health condition, psychological state, emotion) based on a beating vibration signal, a pulmonary respiratory vibration signal, and / or a voice vibration signal. , CPU (signal processing circuit). Further, when the input signal is an analog signal, an A / D converter may be included. Further, the determination means 140
For example, it is connected to a storage device 261 such as a semiconductor storage device or a hard disk device (HDD). In the determination means 140, the CPU uses the extracted pulsatile vibration signal 123, the lung respiration vibration signal 124 or the voice vibration signal 126, and the biometric information of the person stored in the storage device 261.
A person's biological information (life or death, health condition, psychological state, emotion) is judged by comparing threshold values and sample waveforms that are criteria for comparative judgment of life and death, health condition, psychological state, and emotion.

For example, the determination means 140 extracts the pulsating vibration caused by the pulsation of the heart from the body vibration, and the pulsating vibration exceeds a predetermined existence duration or more, so that the person exists within the detection range of the vibration sensor. It may be determined that a person is absent when the person is absent and the state where there is no pulsating vibration exceeds a predetermined absence duration. In addition, by extracting the lung respiration vibration caused by the lung respiration from the body vibration and the lung respiration vibration exceeds the predetermined existence duration, the person is within the detection range of the vibration sensor, and the lung respiration. It may be determined that a person is absent when the state of no vibration exceeds a predetermined duration of absence. In addition, when the state in which both the pulsating vibration caused by the beating of the heart and the pulmonary respirating vibration caused by the pulmonary respiration exceed the predetermined existence duration from the body vibration, the person is within the detection range of the vibration sensor. It may be determined that a person is absent when the presence is present and the state in which both the beating vibration and the lung respiration vibration are absent exceeds the predetermined absence duration or more. Further, by extracting the voice vibration from the body vibration and the voice vibration exceeds the predetermined existence duration or longer, it may be determined that the person exists within the detection range of the vibration sensor, or the voice vibration signal may be determined. When the correlation value between the waveform and the voice vibration sample stored in advance is equal to or higher than a certain value, it may be determined that some kind of intention is expressed by a person.

The reporting means 270 displays on a display device based on the determination result 125 from the determining means 140, turns on an LED or sounds a buzzer, reports to a nurse call device, or reports to the outside through a communication line.

[Example 1]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 (B), a buffer portion 4 provided on the back surface of the toilet seat 40 of the toilet
In one of 1, the contact member 42 is removed, a recess is formed inside the cushioning portion 41, the vibration sensor portion 1 is arranged therein, the contact member 42 is attached to the cushioning portion 41 of the toilet seat 40 again, and the toilet seat is seated. The vibration of the person sitting on the toilet was detected. The vibration sensor unit 1 has the following two structures.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the vibration sensor unit 1 has a concave substrate 82 and a convex presser 83 as signal amplification means above and below the film-shaped vibration sensor 81.
Is placed. FIG. 10A shows a separated state, and FIG. 10B shows a combined state. The overall size of the concave substrate 82 is 10 mm in width and 25 mm in length, and a recess 84 having a width of 10 mm, a length of 15 mm, and a depth of 1 mm is provided in the center. The convex presser foot 83 has an overall size of 10 mm in width and 25 mm in length, and has a convex portion 85 having a width of 10 mm, a length of 5 mm, and a height of 1 mm in the center. The vibration sensor 81 is deformed by the concave substrate 82 and the convex retainer 83. The vibration sensor material (not shown) of the vibration sensor 81 is
It has a width of 8 mm, a length of 20 mm, and a thickness of 110 μm. In the second embodiment, the vibration sensor unit 1
This is an embodiment in which only the vibration sensor is arranged and the signal amplification means is not provided.

FIG. 11 is an actually measured value in the first embodiment, and FIG. 12 is an actually measured value in the second embodiment. Each (A) is a body vibration signal waveform detected by the vibration sensor.
(B) is a pulsating vibration signal waveform obtained by passing the body vibration signal of (A) through a bandpass filter (BPF) having a passing region in the frequency range of 1 Hz to 4 Hz. C) was obtained by passing the body vibration signal of (A) through a low-pass filter (LPF) having a passing region (blocking frequency of 1 Hz) in a frequency range of 1 Hz or less. In each case, the vertical axis is the signal strength (mV) and the horizontal axis is the time (s).

The body vibration signal of FIG. 11A detects the signal of a person sitting on the toilet seat, and can detect that the person is present in the toilet. Compared with FIG. 12A, the intensity of the signal shown on the vertical axis is 3 to 4 times higher, and it is confirmed that the signal detection sensitivity is improved by the signal amplification means in the first embodiment. it can. Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (B), 1 Hz
By passing through a bandpass filter (BPF) having a pass band in the frequency range of ~ 4 Hz, the pulsation signal of the person sitting on the toilet seat can be confirmed. As compared with FIG. 12B, the intensity of the signal shown on the vertical axis is also higher, and it can be confirmed that the signal detection sensitivity is improved by the signal amplification means in the first embodiment. Further, in FIGS. 11B and 12B, it is possible to detect not only the presence or absence of a person but also the health condition of a person by the pulsating vibration.

Further, the pulmonary respiratory vibration signal waveform of FIG. 11 (C) makes it possible to detect a human health condition, and by combining with FIG. 11 (B), it becomes possible to grasp a more detailed health condition. Compared with FIG. 12 (C), the intensity of the signal indicated by the vertical axis in FIG. 11 (C) is higher, and in the first embodiment, the signal detection sensitivity is improved by the signal amplification means. You can check it.

[Example 2]
In this embodiment, a vibration sensor portion having a size of 8 mm × 20 mm and a thickness of 110 μm is wrapped around the chest of the human body, covered with a rubber band from above, and the vibration sensor portion is attached to the human body, and is curved according to the curved surface of the human body. In this state, the vibration of the person wearing the vibration sensor was detected.

FIG. 13 (A) is a body vibration signal waveform detected by the vibration sensor, and FIG. 13 (B) shows.
And (C) are the pulsatile vibration signal waveform and the pulmonary respiration vibration signal waveform extracted from it. In FIG. 13 (B), a bandpass filter (BPF) having a pass range in the frequency range of 1 Hz to 4 Hz is used as the pulsation filter means, and the pulsation vibration signal is obtained from the body vibration signal of FIG. 13 (A). The waveform was extracted. Further, in FIG. 13 (C), a low-pass filter (LPF) having a passing region (cutoff frequency of 1 Hz) in a frequency range of 1 Hz or less is used as the lung respiration filter means, and the body vibration signal of FIG. 13 (A) is used. The pulmonary respiratory vibration signal waveform was extracted from. In each case, the vertical axis is the signal strength (mV) and the horizontal axis is the time (s).

As shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, the vibration sensor unit attached to the chest can detect the state of the human heart and the state of breathing, and can be detected not only at bedtime but also in daily life. It has become possible to detect and judge human biological information (absence, life and death, health condition, psychological condition, emotion, intention, etc.).

Since the present invention can detect the vibration of the body generated by an animal, particularly a person, with a vibration sensor and extract the beating vibration, the lung respiration vibration and the voice vibration from the detected body vibration signal, the biological information of the person (existence). Absence, life or death, health condition, psychological condition, emotion, intention, etc.) can be detected and determined. Furthermore, it can be applied to animal pets as well.

[Example 3]
This embodiment is an example in which a vibration sensor is provided in a vibration propagation member of a bridge structure and vibration is detected. FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of the vibration propagation member in the present embodiment, which has a structure in which the plate 92 is laid over the legs 91, and the plate 92 of the present embodiment has an uneven shape on the lower surface. The vibration sensor 10 is adhered to the lower surface (concave and convex surface) of the plate 92. A transmission line 12 extends from the vibration sensor 10 and is connected to the signal processing device 13. The plate 92 has a width of 100 mm and a length of 400 m.
A vibration sensor 10 having a width of 50 mm and a length of 140 mm was arranged in the center of the lower surface thereof.
Further, the uneven shape has a height of the unevenness of about 0.2 mm, a width of the convex portion of about 2 mm, a width of the concave portion of about 1 mm, and an unevenness continuously linearly in the longitudinal direction on the lower surface of the plate 91. Is formed.

FIG. 15 (A) is a vibration signal detected by the vibration sensor 1 when a pulsed vibration is applied to the upper surface of the plate 91, and FIG. 15 (B) shows the upper surface of the plate 91 pressed against the plate 91. This is a vibration signal detected by the vibration sensor 1 when bending strain is applied to the vibration sensor 1. In the signal waveform shown in FIG. 15A, sharp peaks are intermittently generated at the top and bottom. On the other hand, in the signal waveform shown in FIG. 15B, gentle peaks are continuously generated. In this way, since the properties of the signal differ depending on the characteristics of the source of the vibration source, it is applied from the classification of the applied pressure vibration, the distribution calculation of the applied stress according to the frequency of the pressure vibration, and the signal strength. It is also possible to analyze and diagnose the life and deterioration rate of the vibration propagation member by performing signal analysis such as numerically calculating the strength of the pressure and acquiring data on changes over time.

[Example 4]
In this embodiment, the vibration sensor unit 1 is arranged on the surface of the toilet seat 50 of the toilet, and the toilet seat 40 is placed on the vibration sensor unit 1.
The vibration of the person sitting on the toilet seat was detected. As shown in FIG. 16B, Example 4-1 has a structure in which the vibration sensor unit 1 is directly arranged on the pottery bowl 50, and Example 4-2 is shown in FIG. 16C. As shown, the structure is such that a flat rubber plate is provided as an elastic member 51 between the vibration sensor unit 1 and the toilet bowl 50. In addition, in Example 4-2, the elastic member 5
For 1, three thicknesses of 1 mm, 3 mm, and 5 mm are prepared, and the vibration sensor unit 1 is prepared for each.
The vibration signal from was detected.

In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16B and 16C, the vibration sensor unit 1 includes a signal amplification means 11A in which a concave surface is arranged downward on the film-shaped vibration sensor 10 and a vibration sensor 10. The structure is provided with a signal amplification means 11B having a convex surface arranged downward. Also,
In the 4-2 embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16C, the signal amplification means 11B in which the convex surface is arranged upward is shown.
A flat plate-shaped elastic member 51 was arranged between the toilet bowl 50 and the toilet bowl 50. In the fourth embodiment, the size of the vibration sensor portion and the elastic member is 10 mm in width and 25 mm in length, and the concave surface of the signal amplification means 11A has a concave portion having a width of 10 mm, a length of 15 mm, and a depth of 1 mm in the center. The convex surface of the signal amplification means 11B is provided with a convex portion having a width of 10 mm, a length of 5 mm, and a height of 1 mm in the center. The vibration sensor 10 is deformed by the convex portions and concave portions of the signal amplification means 11A and 11B. The vibration sensor material (not shown) of the vibration sensor 81 has a width of 8 mm and a length of 20.
It is mm and has a thickness of 110 μm.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the frequency analysis result of the body vibration signal after filtering by a low-pass filter (LPF) having a pass band in the frequency range of 10 Hz or less, and (A) is a diagram showing the results of frequency analysis of the body vibration signal, wherein (A) is Example 4-1 and (B). Is a thickness of 1 mm in Example 4-2, and (C) is a thickness of 3 mm in Example 4-2.
(D) is the result of Example 4-2 at a thickness of 5 mm. In each case, the vertical axis is the signal strength (arbitrary unit), and the horizontal axis is the frequency (Hz).

FIG. 18 is a beat vibration signal waveform extracted from a body vibration signal using a bandpass filter (BPF) having a pass band in the frequency range of 1 Hz to 4 Hz as a beat filter means, and FIG. 18A is a beat vibration signal waveform. Examples 4-1 and (B) are 1 mm thick in Example 4-2, and (C) is Example 4-.
2 has a thickness of 3 mm, and (D) is a measurement result of Example 4-2 having a thickness of 5 mm. In each case, the vertical axis is the signal strength (unit: arbitrary unit), and the horizontal axis is the time (seconds).

As shown in FIG. 17 (A), when the vibration sensor was directly installed on the pottery bowl 50, a large number of peaks were observed at 4 to 6 Hz. These 4-6 Hz peaks are shown in FIG.
In the pulsatile vibration signal shown in 8 (A), since it is detected by being superimposed on the pulsating vibration originally required, it becomes difficult to confirm the vibration derived from the pulsating vibration. In this regard, FIGS. 17 (B) to (
As shown in D), when the elastic member 51 is interposed between the elastic member 51 and the toilet bowl, the peak of 3 to 4 Hz is emphasized as the elastic member 51 becomes thicker, which is shown in FIGS. 18 (B) to 18 (D). like,
Sharp peaks at intervals of about 0.8 to 0.9 seconds became prominent. Since the normal heart rate of this subject was around 70, the peak interval was about 0.8 to 0.9 seconds, and the peak sharpness was about 0.1 seconds, which is equivalent to 4 Hz. Since a 4 Hz sine wave forms four waves per second,
The time showing a positive value is 1/8 second = 0.125 seconds, and if the pulse width is defined at the 1 / e position, the peak sharpness is about 0.1 seconds.

10 Vibration sensor 11 Signal amplification means 20, 30 Detection target 31 Auxiliary member

Claims (7)

A plate-shaped auxiliary member protruding or erected on the detection target,
It has a vibration sensor that comes into contact with the detection target via the auxiliary member.
A vibration sensor unit characterized in that the auxiliary member has a curved surface, and at least a part of the vibration sensor is curved and arranged along the curved surface of the auxiliary member. The vibration sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the auxiliary member can be swung. One end of the auxiliary member is fixed to the detection target.
The vibration sensor unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibration sensor is arranged from the center or the other end of the auxiliary member. The vibration sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection target is hollow, and the auxiliary member is provided inside the hollow detection target. The vibration sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a signal amplification means having an uneven surface facing the vibration sensor is provided between the auxiliary member and the vibration sensor. The vibration sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the auxiliary member is integrally molded with the detection target. A vibration signal provided with the vibration sensor unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and extracting a beating vibration signal, a pulmonary respiratory vibration signal or a voice vibration signal from the body vibration signal detected by the vibration sensor. Extractor.